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

When we see such examples, let us on the one side learn to cut off our own slothfulness, and to be more hearty in praying unto God, not too suffer us too lie weltering always in our vices when we be over cold, but too waken us up, and too grant us the grace too spend our selves in his seruis, specially at need and when necessity requireth it: and therewithal too strengthen us in ⟨image 74⟩the doctrine that S. Paul bringeth, seeing that his serving too the glory of God and too our welfare, was in good earnest. For had he done it feignedly, it is certain that he could have gone too work after the manner of worldly folk. But now seeing he came without fetching, and sought friendship & concord with the faithful although he were rejected, and spared not himself though the pains and labours that he took were not known of: it is a sign that he walked as before God, and that the holy Ghost guided him in all respects. Furthermore whereas he sayeth that he commoned with those that were esteemed and had in reputation, to the end he might not [seem to] have run in vain, nor run in vain [hereafter:] he meaneth not that he had lost his labour, if no man living had allowed of his doings: but he had an eye too many weaklings which should have bin in doubt, if God should not by that means have drawn them too the full knowledge and certainty of the Gospel. I told you not long since, that our faith must needs be overthrown, (howbeit not in respect of it self, but in respect of our infirmity,) when we quail. Even so the labour of those that preach and publish the Gospel is vain and fruitless, because we profit not as were too be wished, except God bliss the labour and give it increacement. Whereas Saint Paul sayeth, to the end it may not seem that he had runned in vain: it is not to be understood that such as preach the Gospel do lose their labour and avail not at all except God bliss their doings by his together working: for the preaching of the Gospel shall always be an acceptable sacrifice unto God, although the world receive nothing but death and damnation by it, according as we have seen how Saint Paul in the second too the Corinthians sayeth, we be a good savour unto God.

VVhen we see such examples, let vs on the one side learne to cut off our owne slouthfulnesse, and to be more hartie in praying vntoo God, not too suffer vs too lie weltering alwayes in our vices when wee bee ouer cold, but too waken vs vp, and too graunt vs the grace too spende our selues in his seruis, specially at neede and when necessitie requireth it: and therewithall too strengthen vs in