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

All these things he rejected as abominable, knowing well that he was blinded with pride, in that he had imagined that any thing was available before God, or that he could purchase any favour by that mean. It behoveth him (say I) not only to have thrust all these things under foot, but also to have abhorred them, as he himself protesteth. Forsomuch then as we see this, we be so much the better confirmed in that which he saith: namely that in executing his office of Apostleship, he had nothing of man, nor of himself, for he had bin quite & clean stripped out of all the things which he had made great account of before. For in that he confesseth himself to have bin a persecutor of Gods Church, we see that to the intent to ⟨image 57⟩maintain still the honour of God, and the authority and masterhood of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he served, he doth not in any wise spare himself. But behold also it behoveth us to proceed in the like case. If we purpose to employ our selves to Gods service, it standeth us on hand to forget our selves, and not to be curious in seeking the things that are for our own behoof, or for our own honour. Until such time then as we be come to the utter abasing of our selves, we can never give our selves to the service of God whereunto we be called. I speak purposely of those that have the charge to preach the Gospel, whom it behoveth too be abased in themselves, or else they can never execute faithfully the charge that is committed unto them. On the other side, we see how Saint Paul doth not disguise any thing, nor take any shadow or covert to be received among men, but had rather reap the blame that he had deserved, and to be shamed afore men, than to cover himself with vain starting holes. For he saith he had persecuted the Church, bin a rover and a cutthroat, and had shed innocent blood. But yet doth not this prove that Saint Paul had not endeavoured to live in holiness and perfection:¹ for he had bin a mirror of great uncorruptnesse. He termeth himself unblameable: and not without cause. For he saith he was so blinded, that he thought himself righteous before God, because there was not any spot in him that could be condemned by men. Truly there was hypocrisy in him, like as there is in all men that are not renewed by Gods spirit. When they surmise themselves to be well liked of all the world:

All these things he reiected as abhominable, knowing well that he was blinded with pride, in that he had imagined that any thing was auaylable before God, or that he could purchase any fauor by that meane. It behoueth him (say I) not only to haue thrust all these things vnder foote, but also to haue abhorred them, as hee himselfe protesteth. Forsomuch then as we see this, we be so much the better confirmed in that which he sayth: namely that in executing his office of Apostleship, he had nothing of man, nor of himself, for he had bin quite & cleane stripped out of all the things which he had made great accoūt of before. For in that he cōfesseth himself to haue bin a persecuter of Gods Church, we see that to the entent to