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 let us so reverence the pure doctrine of the Gospel, as none of us presume too change ought of it, but all of us yield to it without exception. Thus much concerning the first reason that is set down here. So (to be short) let us keep our selves true scholars unto our Lord Jesus Christ, and if any man go about to make us swerve never so little from him, or to gad after the doctrines & inventions of men: let us withstand them stoutly. And why? For Saint Paul had none other respect, but that the Gospel might abide in his pure & uncorrupted soundness. Wherefore let us follow him in the same nowadays, and we can never do amiss. Mark that for one point. Another is, that we must also mark well, that if an inconvenience should increase, and spread abroad by our silence and forbearing, we must provide for it aforehand. For it were to late to shut the stable door when the Steed is stolen. Therefore when we see that such as labour too entangle Gods truth, or too mingle their own fancies with it do draw folk to them, and begin too have some train and tail following them: then is it high time for us too be fiery in fighting. For if we bear it: it is certain that we be guilty of the decay of the Church, that shall come upon it, and whereas we think too shift it off, God will not grant us that grace, for as much as we have bin too cold and reckless. Therefore when the mischief increaseth, and that there breedeth any infection of it, (that is to say, when one ⟨p. 77⟩begins too mar another,) let us bethink us too set our selves lustily against it, and not suffer the shrewd weeds too grow so far as to choke the corn, but let us pluck them up betimes. And this is too be done, not only in the errors that mar the pure doctrine of the Gospel, but also in all vices and corruptions [of manners]. Truly if there be any Heresies and wicked opinions which might set all things in a broil, it is all one as if a man should have a stroke with a sword or a dagger in his breast or in his throat. For wherein is the life and welfare of the Church, but in the pureness of Gods word? If a man would come and put poison in our meat whereof we should take nourishment, should we hold our peace at it? No: but we should rather storm at it?

VVherefore let vs so reuerence the pure doctrine of the Gospell, as none of vs presume too chaunge ought of it, but all of vs yeeld to it without exception. Thus much concerning the first reason that is set downe heere. So (to be short) let vs keepe our selues true schollers vnto our Lorde Iesus Christ, and if any man go about to make vs swarue neuer so little frō him, or to gad after the doctrines & inuentions of men: let vs withstande them stoutly. And why? For Saint Paule had none other respect, but that the Gospell might abide in his pure & vncorrupted soundnesse. VVherefore let vs followe him in the same nowadayes, and we can neuer do amisse. Marke that for one poynt. Another is, that we must also marke well, that if an inconuenience should increase, and spread abrode by our silence and forbearing, wee must prouide for it aforehande. For it were to late to shet the stable doore when the Steed is stolne. Therefore when we see that such as labour too intangle Gods truth, or too mingle their owne fancies with it doo drawe folke to them, and begin too haue some traine and tayle following them: then is it high time for vs too bee firie in fighting. For if we beare it: it is certaine that wee bee guiltie of the decay of the Church, that shall come vpon it, and whereas we thinke too shift it off, God will not graunt vs that grace, for as much as wee haue bin too colde and retchlesse. Therfore when the mischeefe increaseth, and that there breedeth any infection of it, (that is to say, when one