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

Even some of his own companions that had been linked with him as two fingers of one hand, gave him quite over in the end. And yet must not Saint Pauls doctrine be rejected for all that. Also when he persecuted the Christians before he was converted, although that many had renounced the salvation which they should have accepted as it was offered them in Jesus Christ: yet ought not the faith too be defaced therefore. Likewise in these days when we see many wretched folk quail and give over all, and othersome again hold out at whose hands we would not have looked for any great constancy: let us profit our selves thereby, and be out of all doubt that although the whole world go ⟨image 72⟩too ruin, yet we have a good and sure foundation, if we rest upon our God. Now whereas Saint Paul addeth, that the faithful glorified God in him: it is too show the better, (so as men might perceive it even by eyesight) that the change which was made in him, proceeded of the only hand of God. And all of it cometh too this point, namely that he had not thrust himself in, and that it could not be laid too his charge that he had preached at all adventure, nor that there was any rashness or presumption in him, or that he was driven with any worldly respect, but that God had governed and guided him. For whereas the faithful had glorified God in him: it was by acknowledging that the renewing of such a man after that fashion, and the making of a ravening Woolf too become a Sheep, yea and a Shepherd, was his work, and a very miracle that proceeded from him. Mark that for a special point. And hereby we see briefly, that they on whom God hath bestowed gifts of grace, so as they excel and are far above all others, must not therefore advance themselves, but find means that the praise may be yielded too him that hath right too it, and which hath deserved it. Wherefore let us keep this rule of humility, which is, that we seek not our own estimation, nor too prefer our selves above our neighbours, for any of the gifts that God hath bestowed upon us, but that God may always have his preeminence, and every of us learn too glorify him for it, when we see any of his gracious gifts in any man. And that is very needful:

Euen some of hys owne companions that had beene linked wyth him as twoo fingers of one hande, gaue him quyte ouer in the ende. And yet muste not Sainct Paules doctrine bee reiected for all that. Also when hee persecuted the Christians before hee was conuerted, althoughe that manye had renounced the saluation whiche they shoulde haue accepted as it was offered them in Iesus Christe: yet ought not the fayth too bee defaced therefore. Likewyse in these dayes when wee see manie wretched folke quayle and giue ouer all, and othersome agayne holde oute at whose handes wee woulde not haue looked for any greate constancie: let vs profite our selues thereby, and bee oute of all doubt that although the whole worlde go