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

For as I have showed afore, it is no small help too the confirmation of our faith, when we be so linked together, & that God calleth not any one man alone, but hath many that submit themselves too him, so that it is seen that they be guided all by one spirit, that they be all of one mind, that they aim all at one mark, and that they show themselves to be Gods children, by going on forward too the heritage of the heavenly life. That help then is fit for the confirmation of our faith: and it was for Saint Paul too show that he was rightly linked with the Apostles, and meant not too separate himself from them. Wherefore let us mark the manner of dealing that is showed us here, to the intent we swerve not to the one extremity or the other. But there are some so lightheaded, that they will give over the doctrine of the Gospel for right naught, and as soon as they hear a man speak, by and by they must receive whatsoever he saith. Howbeit, if we be no better settled than so, shall we be able too withstand all the alarums which the Devil our mortal enemy will give us? Then must men stand stout to their tackling, and all of us from the most too the least, must stick fast together too our Lord Jesus Christ. For like as he is our head, so must he also be exalted,¹ and (as the Prophet Isaiah saith) he is the mark that all men must look at. Sith it is so, let us learn to forbear our resting in such wise upon the outward appearance of men, that the same should impeach the majesty of Gods Sonne. But yet nevertheless, when we be once fully settled upon that point: we must all of us be contented to be taught of him that is given us too be our ⟨p. 47⟩teacher, and not be so proud as to stand every man in his own conceit, (for so shall we but make variance in the Church:) but desire to agree together, and every of us put forth that which is given him, that the unity of our faith may be [as a bond] to knit us together, so as we may make one Temple of God. For it is not said for nought, that we be the lively stones whereof Gods Temple is builded. Now if every of us should be sundered from other, and left alone by himself: what would become of it? Should there be any building? No: but contrariwise there would be utter desolation.

For as I haue shewed afore, it is no small helpe too the confirmation of our fayth, when we be so linked togither, & that God calleth not any one mā alone, but hath many that submit themselues too him, so that it is seene that they be guided all by one spirite, that they bee all of one minde, that they ame all at one marke, and that they shew themselues to be Gods children, by going on forwarde too the heritage of the heauenly life. That helpe then is fit for the confirmation of our fayth: and it was for Saint Paule too shewe that hee was rightly linked with the Apostles, and ment not too separate himselfe from them. VVherfore let vs marke the maner of dealing that is shewed vs here, to the intent we swarue not to the one extremitie or the other. But there are some so lightheaded, that they will giue ouer the doctrine of the Gospell for right naught, and as soone as they heare a man speake, by and by they must receyue whatsoeuer hee sayth. Howbeeit, if we bee no better settled than so, shall we bee able too withstande all the alarums whiche the Diuell our mortall enimie will giue vs? Then must men stand stoute to their tackling, and all of vs from the most too the least, must sticke fast togither too our Lorde Iesus Christ. For like as he is our heade, so must he also bee exalted,