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

Wherefore if we consider whereat S. Paul aimed, we shall not only have wherewith to stop the mouths of all misspeakers, but also be the more confirmed in the faith which we hold by his teaching. And although there be not nowadays any such shameless persons that labour to deface him, or to abolish the authority of his Apostleship: yet doth not that doctrine cease to be for our profit. ⟨p. 65⟩As how? We have seen already how Saint Paul hath said, that if the Angels of Heaven should steppe up too preach a Gospel contrary to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: we should hold them accursed. And even at this day the same is good for us. For we may defy Satan, and all the misbelief and wiliness of men, and all the trash and subtilities which they have to thrust us from the singleness of our faith: I say we may defy every whit of it. And why? For Gods word hath such a Majesty in it self, that all things that can be set up against it, are but smoke, leasing, and filthiness. Now then if we take it for a general rule, that neither Peter nor John may diminish the Majesty of the Gospel: it will serve us for a buckler too ward all things that can be alleged in these days too shake us withal: according also as we see, that diverse weaklings are thrust out of the way by that it is said unto them, how now? we see that the wizzest men of the world, the men of greatest skill, the Prelates and such as have the government of the Church, together with the Kings and Princes, stick too the faith that hath bin received of long time, and too the old accustomed manner of living. Thus the poorer sort have their eyes bleared, and their wits utterly dulled, and their hearts discouraged, by means whereof Gods truth is forsaken, so as it hath neither credit nor reverence among them, and in the mean season these maskers get the upper hand, and flaunt it, as who would say, that men should make Idols of them, and worship them in despite of God. Then sith it is so, we see it standeth us on hand in these days, too be armed with the doctrine that is contained here in Saint Paul: which is, that God will have us too receive his word without gainsaying:

VVherfore if we consider wherat S. Paule amed, we shal not only haue wherewith to stoppe the mouthes of all misspeakers, but also be the more confirmed in the fayth which we hold by his teaching. And although there be not nowadayes any such shamelesse persons that labor to deface him, or to abolish the authoritie of his Apostleship: yet doth not that doctrine cesse to be for our profit.