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

For Saint Paul giveth us here an infallible mark, which showeth us who be the true servants of God, and who be the hirelings whom we must eschew, that is too wit, such as seek but to feed their bellies, and too have their commodities in this world. Hereupon he addeth, to the end they might not suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ. No doubt but that under the word Cross, Saint Paul comprehendeth the whole doctrine, howbeit with a consideration, that it is right hard for a man too preach simply and plainly the things that are contained in Gods word, but that he shall have many encounters. For although God spare us (us I mean which preach his word) and will not always put us too so hard trial, that our enemies shall have their swords drawn upon us: yet the world doth never receive the Gospel so obediently, but that there is still some murmuring and speaking against it, as is too be seen yet still at this day, and must be yet hereafter. For our Lord intendeth too try the constancy of his faithful ones, and therewithal to show the invincible power of his word, in overcoming all the lets that Satan stirreth up against it:¹ according too this saying of Jeremiah, They shall fight against thee, but thou shalt get the upper hand of them. Thus ye see that God is glorified when the world and Satan straining themselves to the uttermost, are not able too let the truth of his course. For this cause Saint Paul saith, that they which be so variable, and do disguise Gods word or falsify it; do shun the Cross, that is •••ay, the true preaching of the Gospel, even too eschew persecution. Now here again we have a very profitable counsel. For if we ⟨image 339⟩desire to serve God and his Church: we must always be ready to receive alarums. And although the fire be not yet kindled, or the enemies not yet armed too make so cruel persecution as they would, or finally our Lord do bridle all those that are weary of his word, and would fain shake off his yoke: yet must we be scorned at many mens hands, we must be defamed, there must be murmuring and railing against us, and we must put it up and harden our selves against it. Yea and we shall see a thousand backbitings against such as employ themselves faithfully, even where the Gospel is preached.

For Saint Paule giueth vs heere an infallible marke, which sheweth vs who bee the true seruants of God, and who bee the hyrelings whom we must eschue, that is too wit, such as seeke but to feede their bellies, and too haue their commodityes in this worlde. Herevpon he addeth, to the ende they might not suffer persecution for the Crosse of Christ. No doubt but that vnder the woorde Crosse, Saint Paule comprehendeth the whole doctrine, howbeeit with a consideration, that it is right harde for a man too preache simply and plainly the things that are conteyned in Gods worde, but that he shall haue many incounters. For although God spare vs (vs I meane which preach his worde) and will not alwayes put vs too so hard tryall, that our enemies shall haue their swordes drawne vpon vs: yet the worlde doth neuer receyue the Gospell so obediently, but that there is still some murmuring and speaking agaynst it, as is too bee seene yet still at this day, and must bee yet hereafter. For our Lorde intendeth too trie the constancie of hys faythfull ones, and therewithall to shewe the inuincible power of his worde, in ouercomming all the lettes that Satan styrreth vp agaynst it: