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 therefore as for all them that know not Jesus Christ, although they be marked with baptism, and bear the name of Christians: yet are they but as •otten members utterly cut ⟨p. 50⟩off, notwithstanding that they pretend too be of the troupe and number of Gods children. Thus ye see still what we have too mark upon this Text. Furthermore Saint Paul addeth, that th• common report was, that he which had erst persecuted the faith, did preach the same, and that God was glorified by that means. Here once again we see that Saint Paul preacheth not his own praises, for he condemneth himself too have been an enemy and persecutor of the Church. True it is that he speaketh of the common report: but yet doth he rehearse the very thing as it was done in deed. So then he cloaketh not the thing that was too his own reproach and shame. A•man might have cast him in the teeth, that he had persecuted the poor faithful ones, that he had too the uttermost of his power shed innocent blood, yea and that he had compelled the weaklings to blaspheme. But yet for all this, he granteth to this indictment of his own accord, and speaketh not as most men do, who make as it were a glory of it, that they have bin enemies of the Gospel. It is certain that Saint Paul in making such rehearsal, was touched with earnest sorriness for that misbehaviour of his,¹ according as in another Text he saith, that he is not worthy to be called an Apostle. Now then, ye may be sure he felt always some pricking in his heart, for that he had erst so rebelled against God, and bin so evil mynde•, yea and altogether spiteful against the Gospel▪ Nevertheless howsoever the world went with him, he had lever to acknowledge his fault with all humility, than to leave the thing unsought that might be to Gods glory. So then let us learn with him, too acknowledge simply the offences that we have committed, when it standeth upon the honouring of God and let us not be loth to receive some sha•e before men. For that is the way for us also too have our sins buried before God, so as they may never come to account, nor to remembrance more: that is to wit, if we be contented too sustain some mark of infamy before men if need be, that God may have his due.