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

Now remaineth that he acknowledged his fault, by which example we must learn mildness. That is to say, forasmuch as there is none of us all but he may step awry, as they that have not such perfect wisdom but that we may fall even into gross faults: and although we perceive it not, yet now and then we happen to swerve through infirmity: at leastwise let us not jeer at it when we be reformed, as many proud & stubborn folk do, who either spew out their poison, or else rankle inwardly in their hearts when they be rebuked. Let us learn first of all by S. Peters example, that there is none of us all so far forward in holiness, wisdom and virtue, which may not overshoot himself. And therefore let us patiently hear what is told us, that we may fare the better by it: and let us not be ashamed too caste down our heads when we see our selves justly accused and condemned. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon the first part of this Text. Truly we have seen already this morning, how S. Peter had this honourable title, to be called a chief pillar in Gods Church, and in the spiritual Temple that was too be builded. He was honoured, he and his fellows had received the holy Ghost, and although he had stumbled once afore, yet had Jesus Christ set him up again, and wiped away the remembrance of that fall, in saying to him,¹ feed my Sheep, have a care of my Lambs. And yet for all this, he walketh not the right way, but steppeth aside. Wherefore it behoveth us too be so much the ware that no man deceive us, ⟨p. 79⟩as though we had profited so well in Gods school, that we were no more in danger of doing amiss. Let us beware of such overweening, and keep continual watch, that we be not misled by the wiles and trains of Satan: yea let it be a suspicious matter with us too desire too please men, seeing that S. Peter fell into that extremity. True it is that his meaning was too the contrary, and that his intent was too employ himself wholly too the glorifying of Gods name. He had stoutly withstood it when he was forbidden too preach any more in the name of Jesus Christ. It was the voice of an Angelical stoutness when he answered,² God must be obeyed and not men.

Now remayneth that he acknowledged his faulte, by which example wee muste learne mildenesse. That is to say, for asmuch as there is none of vs all but he may step awry, as they that haue not such perfect wisedome but that we may fall euen into grosse faultes: and although we perceyue it not, yet now and then we happen to swarue through infirmitie: at leastwyze let vs not ieere at it when we be reformed, as many proude & stubborne folke do, who eyther spew out their poyson, or else rancle inwardly in their hartes when they bee rebuked. Let vs learne first of all by S. Peters example, that there is none of vs all so farre foreward in holinesse, wisedome and vertue, which may not ouershoote himself. And therfore let vs patiently heare what is tolde vs, that wee may fare the better by it: and let vs not bee ashamed too caste downe our heades when we see our selues iustly accuzed and condemned. Thus yee see what we haue to remember vppon the first part of this Text. Truely we haue seene already this mornyng, how S. Peter had this honorable title, to be called a chiefe piller in Gods Churche, and in the spirituall Temple that was too bee buylded. He was honored, he and his fellowes had receyued the holy Ghost, and although he had stumbled once afore, yet had Iesus Christe set him vp againe, and wiped away the remembrance of that fall, in saying to him,