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

The question is not whether a man should eat flesh or no: but whether God ⟨p. 64⟩ought too be obeyed and the thing used which he permitteth, or whether we should rest upon the fancies of men.

The question is not whether a man shoulde eate fleshe or no: but whether God ⟨p. 64⟩oughte too bee obeyed and the thing vsed which he permitteth, or whether we should rest vpon the fancies of men.

Now if a thing be lawful for me by Gods word, is it to be condemned because men judge of it after their own fashion and guise? But we see that Gods authority is blemished when the right that belongeth to him, and is reserved only to himself, is given too mortal creatures. Again, there is a clog laid upon mens consciences, insomuch that our Lord Jesus Christ is defrauded of his due honour. For if he have purchased us such liberty as to set us free from the ceremonies of the law: it is much more reason (as I told you this morning) that the things which men have devised should be laid away, and abolished. Wherefore let us mark well that in all indifferent things we must have regard to edifying, and although it be lawful for us either too use or to forbear a thing: yet Charity bindeth us one to an other. It is a willing serviceableness when for the edifying of our neighbours we abstain from the thing which is free for us to do. But yet in the mean while, we must not under the shadow of peace and concord betray Gods truth, and make a mingle mangle of it, so as men may not know who ought too rule the roast here beneath, nor what law is too be followed, but we must utterly maintain the liberty whereof Saint Paul speaketh here. Lo what we have in effect to hold us too.

Now if a thing be lawful for me by Gods woord, is it to be condemned bycause men iudge of it after their own fashion and guize? But wee see that Gods authoritie is blemished when the right that belongeth to him, and is reserued onely to himselfe, is giuen too mortall creatures. Againe, there is a clog layde vppon mens consciences, insomuche that our Lorde Iesus Chryste is defrauded of his due honour. For if he haue purchased vs such libertie as to sette vs free from the ceremonies of the lawe: it is muche more reason (as I told you this morning) that the things which men haue deuised should be layd away, and abolished. VVherfore let vs mark wel that in all indifferent things we must haue regarde to edifying, and although it be lawfull for vs eyther too vse or to forbeare a thing: yet Charitie byndeth vs one to an other. It is a willing seruisablenesse when for the edifying of our neyghboures we absteyn from the thing which is free for vs to doo. But yet in the meane whyle, we must not vnder the shadowe of peace and concord betray Gods truth, and make a myngle mangle of it, so as men maye not knowe who ought too rule the roast here beneath, nor what lawe is too bee followed, but wee must vtterly mainteyne the libertie whereof Saincte Paule speaketh heere. Loe what wee haue in effect to holde vs too.