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 so much the more doth it stand us on hand to remember this lesson, because we see this naughtiness too be as great nowadays, as ever it was. Howe many are there that commend the gifts of God that are profitable for the common edifying, and for the welfare of the whole Church? Nay rather, the Devil beareth such a sway, that every man through his own unthankfulness, hindereth himself too receive the fruit of Gods gifts, whereof he might be partaker. So then if we had honest and well meaning hearts, surely we should always fare the better when we saw any good example: and where any man is endued with Gods gifts, we should apply the same too our own profit: but we shut our selves out of the doors through our own cankerhartednesse, so as we cannot enjoy the benefit that is offered us. Again, we see there are some so spiteful, that of very malice they would fain make men believe that the Sun shineth not: ye shall see them so devilish, that it spiteth them at the heart too see Gods name glorified by another mans means. Must that fellow have the honour say they? Verily as who should say, that every man ought not too have an eye too the abasing of himself, that God might be honoured as he deserveth, in the gifts that he giveth men as he himself listeth. But there are some so cankerhearted, that they could find in their hearts too pluck God out of his seat, rather than too abide those patiently whom he hath endued with his gifts, and which employ themselves to the edifying of his Church, or that men should receive them and acknowledge that God will be honoured in them. Seeing then that men are nowadays so full of malice and venom: we have the more need too bear in mind what is showed us here: that is too wit, that God must be glorified in all his benefits that are seen of us, assuring our selves that they come all of his mere liberality, and that he is the Author of all good qualities, so as there is not that commendable thing in any creature, which ought not too be fathered upon him. Wherefore let us learn too glorify God in all points and all respects.

And so much the more doth it stande vs on hande to remember this lesson, bycause we see this naughtinesse too bee as great nowadayes, as euer it was. Howe many are there that commende the giftes of God that are profitable for the common edifying, and for the welfare of the whole Church? Nay rather, the Diuell beareth such a sway, that euery man through his owne vnthankfulnesse, hindereth himselfe too receyue the frute of Gods giftes, whereof hee might bee parttaker. So then if wee had honest and well meening heartes, surely wee shoulde alwayes fare the better when wee sawe any good example: and where any man is indued with Gods giftes, wee shoulde applie the same too our owne profite: but wee shette our selues out of the doores through our owne cankerhartednesse, so as wee cannot inioy the benefite that is offered vs. Againe, wee see there are some so spitefull, that of verie malice they woulde fayne make men beleeue that the Sunne shyneth not: yee shall see them so diuelishe, that it spyteth them at the heart too see Gods name glorifyed by another mans meanes. Muste that fellowe haue the honour say they? Verely as who shoulde say, that euerie man ought not too haue an eye too the abacing of himselfe, that God might bee honoured as he deserueth, in the giftes that he giueth men as hee himselfe listeth. But there are some so cankerhearted, that they coulde finde in theyr heartes too plucke God out of his seate, rather than too abyde those paciently whome hee hath indued with his giftes, and which imploy themselues to the edifying of his Church, or that men shoulde receyue them and acknowledge that God will be honoured in them. Seeing then that men are nowadayes so full of malice and venim: we haue the more neede too beare in minde what is shewed vs heere: that is too witte, that God must bee glorifyed in all hys benefites that are seene of vs, assuring our selues that they come all of his mere liberalitie, and that hee is the Authour of all good qualities, so as there is not that commendable thing in any creature, which ought not too bee fathered vppon him. VVherefore let vs learne too glorifie God in all poyntes and all respectes.