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

Thus we see how the devilish pride of men in fleeting to and fro, and in wandering out at rovers, gadding now on the one side and now on the other, is all one as if they made crooked and overthwart paths, & that God should therefore be fain to bow his rule, & become pliable to bend according to their fancies. So much the more therefore behoveth it us too mark well how it is said here, that men may well torment themselves, but yet Gods rule shall continue still, & hold on his course and keep his pace. And what is this rule? It is that it should suffice us to have perfection in such wise, as our Lord Jesus Christ showeth it us in his Gospel. Not that it can be fully in us: but that it behoveth us too labour towards it. For when we speak of perfection it is not meant that we can attain to it so long as we live: but that we must not swerve one way nor other, neither to the right hand nor to the left, but keep on still to the mark that God showeth us. Ye see then that it behoveth us to become new creatures: that is to say, we […] renounce ourselves and y••lde wholly unto God. And sith it is so: let us bethink us too sub•••• ourselves to the said rule, and to frame ourselves thereafter. For every ⟨p. 327⟩man will soon set forth his legs and feet: but that shall be but to fisk here and there. And therefore to the end we stray not, let us learn to stick fast to the things that God showeth and teacheth us by his word. Now whereas S. Paul saith that peace and mercy shall be upon them: it is to show us, that we may defy the whole world, and that although we be condemned by the folly of men, yet we need not to pass for it, but may keep on our race still: so God allow of us, it is sufficient. For surely we show that we yield him not the honour which is due to him, when we be so shaken down by the foolish judgement of the world, and with the opinions that men sow abroad of us. If it be said of us, these fellows behave not themselves well, and we be grieved at it, & thereupon would frame ourselves to every mans liking: it is certain that in the mean while we shall swerve aside from God. So then let us mark well how S. Paul hath told us here, that although men condemn us and find fault in our doings: (as certainly the world will never agree with God:)

Thus wee see how the diuelish pride of mē in fleeting to and fro, and in wandering out at rouers, gadding now on the one side and now on the other, is all one as if they made crooked and ouerthwart pathes, & that God should therfore be faine to bow his rule, & become plyable to bend according to their fancies. So much the more therfore behoueth it vs too marke well howe it is said heere, that men may well torment themselues, but yet Gods rule shall continue still, & hold on his course and keepe his pace. And what is this rule? It is that it should suffize vs to haue perfection in such wise, as our Lord Iesus Christ sheweth it vs in his Gospell. Not that it can be fully in vs: but that it behoueth vs too labour towardes it. For when wee speake of perfection it is not ment that we can atteine to it so long as we liue: but that we must not swarue one way nor other, neither to the right hand nor to the left, but keepe on still to the mark that God sheweth vs. Yee see then that it behoueth vs to become newe creatures: that is to say, wee renounce ourselues and ylde wholly vnto God. And sith it is so: let vs bethinke vs too sub ourselues to the sayd rule, and to frame ourselues therafter. For euery