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

Nevertheless he swerved a little too much, too the intent too keep still his own Countrymen, because he knew that the Jews were somewhat too wilful & wayward, and therefore he meant no more but to bear with their nature. But S. Paul respecteth not the person of his fellow S. Peter, neither reasoneth he with him, as if he should say, thou art an abuser of men, thou knowest not what the Gospel meaneth, but he sayeth unto him, bethink thee well what is like too befall of thy doing, and what inconvenience it will draw with it. For whereat aim they that would have men too keep the Ceremonies of the Law? even too get some holiness by them, or to bind men so too them, as they should use them upon necessity of salvation, and to deserve favour by them at Gods hand, and finally to obtain forgiveness of sins by keeping of circumcision and all other such things. But in so doing they be held down in this error, that they renounce the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and yet notwithstanding thou intendest too feed them in that fondness, and what a thing were that?

Neuerthelesse he swarued a little too much, too the intent too keepe still his owne Countriemen, bicause he knew that the Iewes were somewhat too wilfull & wayward, and therfore he ment no more but to beare with their nature. But S. Paule respecteth not the person of his fellow S. Peter, nother reasoneth he with him, as if he shoulde say, thou arte an abuzer of men, thou knowest not what the Gospell meeneth, but hee sayeth vntoo him, bethinke thee well what is like too befall of thy doyng, and what inconuenience it will draw with it. For whereat ame they that would haue men too keepe the Ceremonies of the Lawe? euen too get some holynesse by them, or to binde men so too them, as they should vse them vpon necessitie of saluation, and to deserue fauour by them at Gods hand, and finally to obtayne forgiuenesse of sinnes by keeping of circumcision and all other such things. But in so doing they be hild downe in this errour, that they renounce the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, and yet notwithstanding thou intendest too feede them in that fondnesse, and what a thing were that?

Therefore let us mark well how S. Paul passeth not what Peters opinion is in this behalf, but dealeth with the matter it self, to the end that all cloaking might be taken away from such as did shut the Gospel out of doors, besides that they did also rend the Church asunder as we saw this morning. Howbeit forasmuch as it is a matter that cannot be [fully] discoursed in a day [or twain,] no nor in four: we must take the things in order as they lie, to the end we may know why S. Paul strove so sharply for the abolishing of Ceremonies. For the case concerneth the salvation of our Souls, and it is the chief point that we must learn in gods school, next after the glorifying of him,