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

If this had not bin made plain, the Jews had ben hardened in a wrong opinion, ⟨image 84⟩and the Gentiles had received a yoke of bondage: and therefore Paul made resistance against it. And so we see it is not only lawful, but also needful to use things diversly which are neither good nor bad of their own nature. As for example, if we see a man drawn back from coming to the Gospel, or troubled, because he is not yet well strengthened: it becometh us to forbear the thing that else were lawful for us, according as we have seen heretofore, that we must always have regard what is expedient and fit for every mans salvation. But if we see that under colour that a thing is neither good nor bad, men go about to interlace some holiness with it, and to bind mens consciences by constraining them to keep it: there we must withstand them to the uttermost. As for example, To eat flesh or fish is a thing indifferent, as they term it, for it is neither forbidden nor bidden of God too eat flesh. Now if some ignorant person be offended at the eating thereof, and think it to be deadly sin, because he knoweth not whether [the forbearing of] it be a tradition of the Pope, or a commandment of God, till he be taught it▪ we must eschew offence. Yea and when we have to do with any Jews, which are not acquainted with our customs, and that we go about to win them and draw them to the obedience of the Gospel: we must for a •yme (in being conversant with them) abstain from the things which they think to be forfended. For inasmuch as they are armed with the authority of God, they would think they had some reason to condemn us, if it were not showed them before, how and by what warrant we might eat of all meats indifferently, and without exception. But contrariwise, if the Papists would bring us to this point, that we should continually forbear the eating of flesh upon Fridays and Saturdays, and in Lent season, and upon other days of their appointing: which soever of us should agree too that, he were a traitor too the Gospel, and we should rather die a hundred times. For why? we must keep the liberty that is purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. If it be said, and how so? Ought a man too trouble the whole world, and too be so wilful for a little liquorousnesse of eating flesh?

If thys had not bin made plaine, the Iewes had ben hardned in a wrong opinion, ⟨image 84⟩