Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

IT is not for nought that God hath so often warned the Preachers of his word, not too seek the well liking and favour of men, but as it were too shut their eyes against all worldly respects, to the end that they gaze not here & there, nor be hindered to do their duty rightly. For we see it is impossible for us too discharge our selves aright, unless we look up unto God, and turn away our look from men, because we shall be easily corrupted when we be so led, whereas nothing ought too bow us one way or other. Howbeit, this constancy is chiefly requisite in such as should bear abroad Gods word, namely that they be not led neither by ambition nor by covetousness too speak in favour of men, or too please them, and that they be not abashed at any threatening or peril. For experience showeth that so soon as a man is afraid of his •inne, or hath respect of […] own profit: he will be changed in the turning of a hand. True ⟨p. 315⟩it is that such as covet mens favour after that fashion, will not at the first dash show themselves to be wicked & enemies of the truth according as our Lord Jesus Christ also putteth a difference between the hirelings and the wolves.¹ After he hath spoken of the good and faithful shepherds which seek the common welfare of the flock: he sayeth, there are also ravening wolves or thieves which seek nothing else but too put all too spoil, ruin, and confusion. And these are they which fight openly against God, labouring and endeavouring to overthrow the pure doctrine of the Gospel. Nevertheless there are also which row between two streams, who do make a countenance to serve God. And truly some men build, howbeit not for any zeal: for there is no soundness of hart in them. Notwithstanding, so long as it is not to their cost, they set a good face upon the matter, so that the world is oftentimes deceived by them, and taketh them too be the ministers of Jesus Christ: but yet their seeking is but for wages, they be wholly given too their bellies. For proof whereof, if ye do but threaten them, by and by they be dismayed, and they will turn the cat in the pan, so that whereas yesterday they seemed too maintain Gods word, too day they bend crooked and a cross. And why? For they see it is the way to please the world, and to profit themselves.

IT is not for nought that God hath so often warned the Preachers of his woorde, not too seeke the well liking and fauour of men, but as it were too shet their eyes against all worldly respects, to the end that they gaze not heere & there, nor be hindered to do their duetie rightly. For wee see it is impossible for vs too discharge our selues aright, vnlesse wee looke vp vntoo God, and turne away our looke from men, bycause wee shall bee easly corrupted when wee bee so ledde, whereas nothing ought too bowe vs one way or other. Howbeeit, this constancie is cheefly requisite in suche as shoulde beare abrode Gods woorde, namely that they bee not ledde nother by ambition nor by couetousnesse too speake in fauour of men, or too please them, and that they bee not abashed at any threatening or perill. For experience sheweth that so soone as a man is afrayde of his inne, or hath respect of owne profite: he will bee chaunged in the turning of a hande. True