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

This therefore is the thing which we have too remember in that it is said, that the common report went that he had erst destroyed the faith, as he had done in deed. Truly the faith of the Gospel shall evermore get the upper hand of all the assaults of Satan, and ⟨image 71⟩of all the wicked: Therefore it lay not in Saint Pauls power […] abolish the faith nor too overthrow it, at such time as he was carried with such fury as we have seen. For the faith is grounded upon Gods truth which is invincible, it is not subject too the opinions of men. But Saint Paul had respect here too the infirmity of the simple sort whom he had cast down as much as lay in him.¹ For it is said in the Acts, that he did not only persecute the Christians, but also made some of them too recant. Like as nowadays when any great number is persecuted, some spare neither their blood nor their lives for the confessing of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Othersome redeem this wretched and flightfull life by recanting, so that they banish themselves from the Kingdom of heaven as much as they can, cast themselves into Satan's snares, and throw themselves headlong into endless death, and all too escape the hands of Tyrants and of their enemies. Therefore Saint Pauls cruelty is purposely condemned by the holy Ghost, for that he not only was full of pride and stubbornness against God, but also had enforced many too recant and give over the faith of the Gospel. Ye see then how he behaved himself: and that must serve for our learning. For although the word abide still in his full state, and we prejudice it not at all by our weakness: yet notwithstanding the faith is cast down in our persons. For if I swerve too please Gods enemies, or if I disguise the truth, or by any means dissemble: then is my faith defaced.

This therefore is the thing whiche wee haue too remember in that it is sayde, that the common reporte wente that hee had earst destroyed the fayth, as hee had done in deede. Truely the fayth of the Gospell shall euermore get the vpper hande of all the assaultes of Sathan, and ⟨image 71⟩of all the wicked: Therefore it lay not in Saint Paules power 〈…〉 abolishe the fayth nor too ouerthrowe it, at such tyme as hee was caryed with such furie as wee haue seene. For the fayth is grounded vppon Gods truth whiche is inuincible, it is not subiect too the opinions of men. But Saint Paule had respect heere too the infirmitie of the simple sort whome hee had cast downe as muche as lay in him.