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

For (as I have showed already) it is no reason that God should be robbed of his right, when men seek to knit themselves together. Ye see then in effect what we have to think upon, when S. Paul saith that he would not yield one minute as in way of subjection, to such as wound in themselves after that fashion under false colours, to make a bastard Gospel full of minglemangles and corruptions: for Gods trueth is the thing that was to be known first of all. Furthermore let us not be afraid of the slander that is laid upon us [in telling us] that it is pride & presumption when we will not submit our selves: like as nowadays the thing that the Papists allege against us, is that we seem to take upon us to be wiser than all the world, and that it is a great pride in us, that we cannot find in our hearts too submit our selves too the common fashion. True it is that the title of obedience is amiable, like as I said even now of peace: but yet must God be obeyed first of all. For if we will openly spite God, and play mock holiday with him too the intent too submit ⟨image 80⟩our selves unto men, and bow down our neck too bear their yoke, and in the mean while give no audience unto God: what shall become of it? Surely we can not frame our selves to the Papists in way of subjection or yielding to them; but God must be thrust out of doors, and his word as it were trodden under foot, so as it shall have neither authority nor reverence amongest us. What is it that the Papists would have us to do? That we should leave Gods word, and give over our Lord Jesus Christ, and yet in the mean while receive all that ever they have devised. They will not say in flat terms that God shall be spoiled of his honour, nor that Jesus Christ shall have no more authority among them, they will not speak so with open mouth, but yet it is so in deed. Like as these deceivers against whom S. Paul strove, made fair protestations enow that they meant to be Christians, but yet for all that he was fain to come to the touchstone, and to examine all things throughly. Now would the Papists have their traditions received: and what manner of things are they? We see that our Lord Jesus Christ is as good as buried there, as I have showed already. Again, there is nothing but corruption in them:

For (as I haue shewed alreadie) it is no reason that God should be robbed of his right, when men seeke to knit thēselues togither. Ye see then in effect what we haue to think vpon, when S. Paule sayth that he would not yeeld one minute as in way of subiection, to such as wownd in themselues after that fashion vnder false coloures, to make a bastarde Gospell full of minglemangles and corruptions: for Gods trueth is the thyng that was to be knowne first of all. Furthermore let vs not be afrayde of the slaunder that is layd vpon vs [in telling vs] that it is pryde & presumption when wee will not submit our selues: like as nowadayes the thing that the Papists alledge against vs, is that we seeme to take vpon vs to be wiser than all the world, and that it is a great pryde in vs, that wee cannot fynde in our heartes too submit oure selues too the common fashyon. True it is that the title of obedience is amiable, lyke as I sayde euen nowe of peace: but yet must God bee obeyed fyrste of all. For if wee will openly spyte God, and playe mockeholyday with him too the intent too submitte