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

We have seen how S. Paul hath on the one side published the Gospel through the whole world without warrant of any man, contenting himself in that he was sure he served God, and that his labour was acceptable to him: and yet notwithstanding hath not forslowed in the mean while, to seek brotherhood, and good agreement with the Apostles, as a thing right requisite to succour the infirmity of such as might have bin thrust out of the way, unless God had helped them in their feebleness. So have we on the one side a warrant of S. Pauls doctrine: & on the other side we see how he intended to gather together gods children, to the end they might be joined in one band of faith, and glorify God as it were with one heart, one mind, & one mouth. And therewithal we see also, that S. Paul passed not to ask counsel whether he should go forward or backward. For although he were unknown to such as had bin in the faith before him: yet forslowed he not to serve God, whereunto he had bin erst called. And this surely is one very notable point more: for it showeth us that he was wholly bent to serve God, & looked not for his hire at mens hands, to the end they should pleasure him or esteem of him as he deserved. Wherefore let us learn to walk after such a fashion in the vocation whereunto we be called, that although men look not upon us, yet we may not cease to discharge our duties faithfully, contenting our selves in that it pleased god to allow of us. For they that hang upon men shall always be attainted with some spice of vainglory, & it will be impossible for them to walk purely & soundly.

WEe haue seene howe S. Paule hath on the one side published the Gospell through the whole world without warrant of any man, cōtenting himself in that he was sure he serued God, and that his labour was acceptable to him: and yet notwithstanding hath not forslowed in the meane while, to seeke brotherhod, and good agreement with the Apostles, as a thing right requisite to succour the infirmitie of suche as might haue bin thrust out of the way, vnlesse God had helped them in their feeblenesse. So haue we on the one side a warrant of S. Paules doctrine: & on the other side we see how he intended to gather togither gods children, to the end they might be ioyned in one band of fayth, and glorifie God as it were with one heart, one minde, & one mouth. And therwithall we see also, that S. Paule passed not to aske coūsell whether he should go foreward or backward. For although he were vnknown to such as had bin in the faith before him: yet forslowed he not to serue God, wherevnto he had bin erst called. And this surely is one verie notable poynt more: for it sheweth vs that he was wholy bent to serue God, & loked not for his hire at mens hands, to the end they should pleasure him or esteme of him as he deserued. VVherfore let vs learn to walk after such a fashion in the vocation whervnto we be called, that although men loke not vpō vs, yet we may not ceasse to discharge our duties faithfully, contenting our selues in that it pleased god to allow of vs. For they that hang vpō mē shall always be attainted with some spice of vainglory, & it wilbe impossible for thē to walk purely & soūdly.