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 it becometh them too lead the way, according also as in another place too Timothy,¹ Paul commandeth expressly, that such as have done amiss (though they be the Shepherds which have the charge too teach and govern the flock) should be rebuked openly. The same thing hath he put presently in practise in the person of Peter. For in as much as the fault was overgreat, and too far out of square, and might engender greater trouble in the Church, because it was (as ye would say) an overthrowing of the Gospel) for that there was as yet some infirmity in many men: Saint Paul saw well it was requisite that Peter should be rebuked, and thereupon did it.

for it becommeth them too leade the waye, according also as in another place too Timothie,¹ Paule commaundeth expressely, that suche as haue done amysse (thoughe they bee the Sheepeheardes whiche haue the charge too teache and gouerne the flocke) shoulde bee rebuked openly. The same thing hath hee put presently in practize in the person of Peter. For in as muche as the fault was ouergreate, and too farre out of square, and might ingender greater trouble in the Churche, bicause it was (as yee woulde say) an ouerthrowing of the Gospell) for that there was as yet some infirmitie in manie men: Saint Paule sawe well it was requisyte that Peter shoulde bee rebuked, and therevppon did it.

1. 11. Tim. 5. d. 20.

That therefore is the thing which we have to remember concerning that process. On the other side we see also the mildness of Peter. It had bin said unto him by the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ, that besides his ordinary name of Simon,¹ he should be called Peter for the steadiness of his faith. He was excellent among the rest of the Apostles: and yet nevertheless he stoopeth with his head, and boweth down his neck when he seeth that he hath done amiss, and maketh no buckler of the honourable state wherein he was, but only considereth, that sith Gods word is given us too correct us, it becometh us to submit our selves too it, except we will be rebels against him, who in the end will beat down all the pride of the world. Therefore S. Peter perceiving that nothing is better for a man, than to receive chastisements when he hath done amiss: yieldeth to that which was told him by S. Paul. Now if we consider all these things well: we have here a very profitable story. For on the one side we see how every man desireth too hold in with the world: and that is an occasion too blind us continually