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

If we follow the thing that is showed us here, surely our faith shall never stagger as many do now adays, which know not what to do, and yet notwithstanding will say, I fear the troubles and diversities of opinions, and the bickerings that are in this world. Some can well enough say, it were meet that I should give my self wholly to our Lord Jesus Christ: but there are another sort which take a much pleasanter way, and would have a reformation but only in half. And which of these shall I believe [say they Open thine eyes: for all they that allege any such excuses, seek not too follow the truth, but are well apaid if they can get some shrouding sheet too hide their shame, and would fain be flattered: but in the mean while, what gain they by it? For Satan leads them to destruction, and they be willing too follow him. Because they are afraid of their lives, they love the covert, and because they be given too pleasure, they seek their own ease. Therefore they must have such payment as they deserve. But how soever the world go, S. Paul declareth that such as wilfully become brutish, are so overtaken by Satan and caste in such perplexity, as they wot not what too do: because they consider not that such as do simply bear abroad the truth of the Gospel, are no wavering person••, but such as keep on […] pace, and pass not whither the world like of their doctrine or no• but forasmuch as God hath commanded them to speak, they do so. ⟨p. 317⟩Contrariwise, as for the nicelings which say it is good too beware, and not to cast themselves out of the Saddle, and would have men to counterfeit, and to bear two faces in one hood: it is certain that such manner of men are not led with any zeal or affection to serve God, nor have any regard of edification or of the welfare of the Church: nor (to be short) have any other care or respect, than to eschew all persecution, and too live at their ease, so as no man might fasten upon them. Now then, seeing that this is manifest enough: it is certain that all such as nowadays do keep themselves so in their nest, do offend God, and are utterly without excuse. Why so?

If we follow the thing that is shewed vs heere, surely our faith shall neuer stagger as many do now adayes, which know not what to do, and yet notwithstanding will say, I feare the troubles and diuersities of opiniōs, and the bickerings that are in this world. Some cā well ynough say, it were meete that I should giue my selfe wholly to our Lord Iesus Christ: but there are another sorte which take a much pleasanter way, and would haue a reformation but onely in half. And which of these shall I beleeue [say they Opē thine eies: for all they that alledge any such excuces, seeke not too followe the truth, but are well apayde if they can get some shrowding sheete too hide their shame, and would fayne bee flattered: but in the meane whyle, what gaine they by it? For Satan leades them to destruction, and they be willing too follow him. Bicause they are afrayd of their liues, they loue the couert, and bicause they bee giuen too pleasure, they seeke their owne ease. Therfore they must haue such payment as they deserue. But how soeuer the worlde go, S. Paule declareth that suche as wilfully become brutishe, are so ouertaken by Satan and caste in such perplexitie, as they wote not what too do: bicause they consider not that such as do simply beare abrode the truthe of the Gospell, are no wauering person, but suche as keepe on pace, and passe not whither the worlde like of their doctrine or no but for asmuch as God hath cōmaunded them to speake, they do so.