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

To be short, there is none of us all but he would be pleased, insomuch that if they which have the charge to build and teach the Church, would please men: they should be fain too renounce our Lord Jesus Christ. And hereby all Ministers of Gods word are taught to shut their eyes when they intend to discharge their duty faithfully, so as they must not look aside too regard men according to their disordered desires which they see, but set aside all desire of their good liking and favour. And if they purpose to lead those unto God which would else be stubborn hearted: whatsoever come of it let them so deal, that God may have his right, and that our Lord Jesus Christ may have his authority. For (as I have said already) what is too be done when we speak in his name? We must not only generally condemn all that is of our own nature, but also so ransack mens consciences, as every of them may feel that God executeth his jurisdiction there, and that the Gospel is not only a lancing iron to prick, but also a sword that pierceth ⟨p. 31⟩to the marye of the bones, as the Apostle saith in the Epistle too the Hebrews.¹ There must then be neither thought nor affection, which the Gospel must not search. Truly it cannot be but that they which are so wounded, must needs groan and have some grief and hartbyting. But yet must we shut our eyes at all that, and not regard what men covet or desire, but pass on still forward. Furthermore, this warning serveth not only for the Ministers of Gods word, but for all men in general. Therefore if we desire too be Christians, let us learn to do so much honour to the son of God, that although his word be not very well too our liking, nor we find favour in it according to our natural wit: yet notwithstanding we may not cease too receive it obediently. And so when any man cometh to a Sermon, let him first and foremost make his reckoning to be rebuked as meet is, and let him understand that it is for his profit that he is not soothed. And if he have itching ears, let him lay them away from him, assuring himself that else he is foreclosed, so as he shall never receive the doctrine to his profit and instruction. Wherefore let us all suffer our sores too be rubbed, and our selves to be condemned, and too be dealt with clean contrary to our liking.

To bee short, there is none of vs all but hee woulde bee pleased, insomuch that if they which haue the charge to buylde and teach the Church, would please men: they shoulde bee fayne too renounce our Lorde Iesus Christ. And hereby all Ministers of Gods worde are taught to shet their eyes when they intende to discharge their duetie faythfully, so as they must not looke aside too regarde men according to their disordered desires which they see, but sette aside all desire of their good lyking and fauour. And if they purpose to lead those vntoo God which woulde else bee stubborne hearted: whatsoeuer come of it let them so deale, that God may haue his right, and that our Lorde Iesus Christ may haue his authoritie. For (as I haue sayd alreadie) what is too bee done when we speake in his name? VVee must not onely generally condemne all that is of our owne nature, but also so ransacke mens consciences, as euerie of them may feele that God executeth his iurisdiction there, and that the Gospell is not onely a launcing yron to pricke, but also a sworde that pearceth