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 that among the Papists many be so wilful, as they will never abide that a man should vary one point from them. For they see well, that if there be never so little a breach made, by and by all their tyranny decayeth and falls down to the ground. For what hold have they but by tyranny and violence, too tell us that we must neither will nor choose, but take it for good? Those therefore that are flatly on the popes side, would have men too hold through out, all the filthiness and abominations which they have had hitherto. But there are a sort of fantastical heads, which would have a Reformation, wherein the Pope and Mahumet and Jesus Christ should be mingled together, so as men might no more discern which is which: for all is one to them so the world be agreed upon it: They bear no reverence at all unto God, and that is the cause why all things have been so turmoiled and confounded in our days, and the very foundation, whereupon the Interim (as they term it) was grounded. For seeing that many men could not find in their hearts to consent to Papistry: they thought it good too have a reformation between both. And even at this day a great sort incline still to the like reformation. It is true (say they) that there are abuses, and it were meet they should be mended. Yea, but their meaning is but too pluck away some leaf or little branch, and too let the rest alone, that the root ⟨image 82⟩root might grow still: that is too say, that the Gospel of God might be defaced with all manner of superstitions that reign in the Popedom. But what for that? here the holy Ghost condemneth all such neuters, and showeth that their doings are but crafts of Satan, yea and mere illusions and mockeries to lead silly souls to destruction, and moreover also a defacing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. And why? For we have not the Gospel at all, except we have the pure truth, whereunto it may not be lawful for men to add any thing, but all of us to hold our selves to that which is showed us by our master. Ye see then, how that in these days we be enforced by the necessity of the time, to put this doctrine in ure.

True it is that among the Papistes many be so wilfull, as they will neuer abyde that a man should varye one poynt from them. For they see well, that if there be neuer so little a breache made, by and by al their tyrannie decayeth and falles downe to the ground. For what holde haue they but by tyrannie and violence, too tell vs that wee muste neyther will nor choose, but take it for good? Those therfore that are flatly on the popes side, would haue men too holde through out, all the filthinesse and abhominations which they haue had hithertoo. But there are a sorte of fantasticall heads, which would haue a Reformation, wherin the Pope and Mahumet and Iesus Christe shoulde bee mingled toogither, so as men myght no more discerne whiche is whiche: for all is one to them so the world be agreed vppon it: They bear no reuerence at all vntoo God, and that is the cause why all thinges haue bene so turmoyled and confounded in our dayes, and the verie foundation, whervpon the Interim (as they terme it) was grounded. For seing that manye men coulde not fynde in their hearts to consent to Papistrie: they thought it good too haue a reformation betweene both. And euen at this day a greate sort inclyne stil to the lyke reformation. It is true (say they) that there are abuses, and it were meet they should bee mended. Yea, but their meening is but too plucke away some leafe or little braunche, and too lette the rest alone, that the roote