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

True it is (as I have said already) that Gods word shall always hold his own: and yet oftentimes the fall of one man shall draw a great havoc after it. If men see some one person recant, at whose hand great constancy was looked for: then are many poor souls shaken, and they wot not what too say. True it is that we ought not to rest upon men: but yet for all that, (as we shall declare again anon) there are many that have need too be confirmed by good example. Now if a man cast a stumbling block in their way, they be as good as utterly overthrown, or else they be so hartshaken as they wot not where to become. Wherefore let us learn to commit our selves unto god! & seeing that the devil hath so ⟨p. 51⟩many underlings which seek nothing but too bring all too confusion, and employ themselves wholly to overwhelm the Christian faith: let us pray God to strengthen us with such constancy, as our enemies may be put too shame though we be assailed nearlier than we be. And let us not only care every man for himself, but also for the great number of poor souls whom we see as it were in the Wolves mouth: for they shall be tormented and threatened, and finally laboured by flatteries and allurements too recant. Therefore when we fee such assaults given too our brothers: at leastwise let us have the heart too pray God too aid them at their need, so as their faith may continue still invincible, and get the upper hand, and that they may never swerve, for all that ever Satan and all his brood can practise. So much the more then behoveth it us to mark this Text, where it is said that Saint Paul did cast down and destroy the faith. For although God will always maintain his truth: yet do not men cease too go too destruction, because their faith is shaken by swerving and stepping aside from the right way. Furthermore, we have wherewith too confirm our selves, so that although men continue not in such constancy as were requisite, and too be wished, yet let us not be too much abashed at it, seeing it is a thing that hath been common in all ages. Was Saint Pauls preaching of the less credit, because there were many renegades, that in the end showed themselves too be Hypocrites and full of unfaithfulness?

True it is (as I haue sayde alreadie) that Gods worde shall alwayes holde his owne: and yet oftentimes the fall of one man shal draw a great hauocke after it. If men see some one person recant, at whose hande great constancie was looked for: then are many poore soules shaken, and they wote not what too say. True it is that wee ought not to rest vppon men: but yet for all that, (as wee shall declare agayne anon) there are many that haue neede too bee confirmed by good example. Nowe if a man cast a stumbling blocke in their way, they bee as good as vtterly ouerthrowne, or else they be so hartshaken as they wote not where to become. VVherfore let vs lerne to cōmit our selues vnto god! & seing that the diuel hath so