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

yet how soever the world go, forasmuch as they have good store of their Church stuff & other counterfettings, they bear them selves in hand that God seeth not a whit into their lewdness, but ⟨image 112⟩persuade themselves that God ought to accept them for their own merits sakes. Also, such as hear Mass devoutly, such as run from the Tavern [or from the Alehouse] to the Chapel, specially such as buy pardons and such other like stuff, and such as keep fasting days and holidays, will be puffed up with such an over weening, as to think they have bound God unto them. But S. Paul, in naming all flesh, showeth that men must not shoal out themselves asunder, as though one were righteous, though another were not so: but must all stoop and humble themselves and pass condemnation, assuring themselves that all their virtues, (yea even of the excellentest men of all) are but filthiness before God. For although a man be perfectly righteous to our opinion, so as he doth no man harm, but hath steadfastness in himself to withstand all vices, and is chaste and sober, and (to be short) is taken and esteemed to be as an Angel: yet not withstanding he hath nothing in him but corruption. And how can that be? Because we may not rest upon the outward appearance, for (as the Proverb sayeth) all is not gold that glistereth. It is not for us to judge what is vice, and what is virtue, except we could enter into a man. For if a man yield not unto God that which belongeth unto him, what is to be said of it? He robbeth not men, but he robbeth God of his honour. Again though men give him never so great praise & clap their hands at him: yet shall he but burst for vainglory and pride, and nothing shall be able too frame him too humility, save the knowing of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, they which make a goodly outward show in their life, shall nevertheless be still condemned before God. This is the thing whereby S. Paul intended to forestall all the vain trust that men can conceive or nourish concerning their own deservings. But there is yet more. For he speaketh not only of such men as were after a fort forsaken of God, and were not renewed by his holy spirit: but when he sayeth All flesh▪ he comprehendeth the faithful also.

yet how soeuer the world go, for asmuch as they haue good store of their Churchstuffe & other counterfettings, they beare thē selues in hand that God seeth not a whit intoo their leudnesse, but ⟨image 112⟩