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

And if men do naturally keep themselves from the things that may hurt this transitory life: ought not our souls to be much more precious too us? What care ought we to have that they be not poisoned by any trumpery of men? Too be short, let us be sure that as soon as any by matter is added too the pure doctrine of our lord Jesus Christ, it is plain falsehood. For he will not only he held as principal, but he must continue alone without any companion, and all those that teach, must first become his scholars, ⟨p. 29⟩so as he that speaketh in the Church set not down any thing of his own, or which hath bin coined in the warehouses of men, but show himself to be the true disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, and teach us all by the authority of him. Mark that for one point. And for a second, it behoveth us to know what is contained in the Gospel. For if the word Gospel should trot up and down in every mans mouth, and yet in the mean while men make us believe that Chalk is Cheese, as they say: what a thing were that? What should we be the better for giving so honourable report too the Gospel, as to say it is Gods pure truth, whereunto all creatures ought to submit themselves? It standeth us on hand too know what is the substance of it, so as we may be sure that the son of God is come down hither to guide us unto God his father, too the end we may understand after what manner he will be worshipped at our hands, and furthermore be made privy too Gods will, that we may frame our whole life thereafter, and not invent a service after our own lust and liking, but yield him that obedience which he requireth and alloweth above all things. Again, we must [learn too] know how miserable our state is, if we intend to seek our salvation in our selves. For there is nothing in us but ignorance, infirmity, weakness, yea and stubbornness and wicked lusts: and to be short, we be held in Satan's bands, so as he draweth us like silly beasts, even as Asses and Oxen that are sold: and if we intend to be set free from so horrible bondage, and tyranny, we must go too none but God, assuring our selves that he is the fountain of all welfare. Furthermore forasmuch as we cannot come unto God, but we must first come to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is come down unto us:

And if men doo naturally keepe themselues from the things that may hurt this transitorie life: ought not our soules to be much more precious too vs? VVhat care ought wee to haue that they be not poysoned by any trumperie of men? Too bee short, lette vs bee sure that as soone as any by matter is added too the pure doctrine of our lord Iesus Christe, it is playne falsehod. For he will not onely hee hilde as principall, but he muste continue alone without any companion, and all those that teach, must first become his scholers,