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

Howbeit there were a number which were puffed up with pride because they had been familiar with the Apostles, or at leastwise had been trained up in their school: and therefore they could away with nothing which they had not seen at Jerusalem. All other manner of dealings which had not bin used there, they not only rejected, but also boldly condemned. Such waywardness and peevishness is a dangerous plague, when we will needs have the custom of any one Church too be received for an universal Law. And that proceedeth of an unadvised zeal, when we be so affectioned to some master or place, that without any judgement we will bind all men to that one mans mind, or all places too the ordinances of that only on••place, as to a common rule. Soothly there is always ambition mingled▪ with that manner of dealing, or to speak more rightly, such over great waywardness is always full of vainglory. But too return too these false Apostles, if their foolish fondness had led them no further than only to assay too bring in the use of the Ceremonies every where, which they had seen kept at Jerusalem: they had done ill enough already: For there was no reason why they should of a custom make by and by a common rule. But there was yet a further mischief: namely their wicked and harmful doctrine, whereby they meant too bind mens consciences, and to ground righteousness in the keeping of Ceremonies. Now we understand why S. Paul speaketh so earnestly in defence of his Apostleship, and wherefore he setteth himself against the other Apostles.

Howbeeit there were a number which were puffed vp with pride bicause they had beene familiar with the Apostles, or at leastwise had beene trayned vp in their schoole: and therefore they could away with nothing which they had not seene at Ierusalem. All other maner of dealings which had not bin vsed there, they not onely reiected, but also boldly condemned. Such waywardnesse and pe•uishnesse is a daungerous plague, when wee will needes haue the custome of any one Churche too bee receiued for an vniuersall Lawe. And that proceedeth of an vnaduised zele, when wee bee so affectioned to some maister or place, that without any iudgement we will bind all men to that one mannes minde, or all places too the ordinances of that onely on••place, as to a common rule. Soothly there is alwaies ambition mingled▪ with that maner of dealing, or to speake more rightly, suche ouer great waywardnesse is alwaies full of vainglorie. But too returne too these false Apostles, if their foolish fondnesse had led them no further than onely to assay too bring in the vse of the Ceremonies euery where, which they had seene kept at Ierusalem: they had done ill inough already: For there was no reason why they should of a custome make by and by a common rule. But there was yet a further mischief: namely their wicked and harmefull doctrine, whereby they ment too bind mennes consciences, and to ground rightuousnesse in the keeping of Ceremonies. Nowe wee vnderstand why S. Paule speaketh so earnestly in defence of his Apostleship, and wherefore he setteth himself against the other Apostles.