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

IT were great shame for us if God should bear no more sway with us than mortal creatures. For what comparison is there betwixt his majesty, and the state of men which are but a fading shadow? And yet notwithstanding it is an ordinary matter with men too prefer themselves before God: which is so ugly a thing, that if the Sun were matched with the darkness of hell, it were not so great a confusion, as to exalt men above him to whom all honour belongeth. But howsoever the case stand, it is a vice (as I said) which hath evermore reigned and still reigneth at this day too much in the world. For look what man speaketh, it shall straightways be believed: and if folk be loth to do it of their own good will, yet must they be fain to hold them to it in all matters that are allowed by law. Behold, God speaketh, yea and that right substantially, so as he overslippeth not any thing that may give credit and assuredness to his word: and yet notwithstanding we be always in a mammering, or else we fall to flat reasoning against him. Must it not needs be then that we be out of our wits, when we diminish Gods authority after that fashion, and yield more credit to creatures than to him that made both heaven and earth with his only word, and maintaineth all things by the same? That is the cause why S. Paul in this text useth this preface: I speak (saith he) after the manner of men. For if he had said no more but this: Covenants shall be kept here below without breaking or repealing, and therefore needs must Gods promise be everlasting: that had bin true, but yet had he spoken too coldly of Gods majesty, in ranging him so in array among earthly creatures. But whereas he saith that he speaketh after the manner of ⟨p. 149⟩men: it is all one as if he had said that he useth not such manner of stile and speech as might beseem to treat of the majesty of God. For both the Sun and Moon, ought too forgo their brightness when Gods glory cometh in presence. All of it must needs be darkened: what shall then become of those that are but as flies & frogs crawling upon the earth? For make men never so much of their painted sheath, yet are they less than naught worth before God. Now when we here this, we should be the more restrained, that we use no replying, but with all reverence take in good worth the thing that is told us here:

IT were great shame for vs if God should beare no more sway with vs than mortall creatures. For what comparison is there betwixt his maiestie, and the state of men which are but a fading shadow? And yet notwithstanding it is an ordinarie matter with men too preferre themselues before God: which is so ougly a thyng, that if the Sunne were matched with the darknesse of hell, it were not so great a confusion, as to exalt men aboue him to whome all honor belongeth. But howsoeuer the cace stande, it is a vice (as I sayd) which hath euermore reigned and stil reigneth at this day too much in the world. For looke what man speaketh, it shall strayghtways be beleeued: and if folke be loth to do it of their owne good will, yet must they be fayne to hold them to it in all matters that are allowed by law. Behold, God speaketh, yea and that right substantially, so as he ouerslippeth not any thing that may giue credite and assurednesse to his word: and yet notwithstanding we bee always in a mamering, or else we fall to flat reasoning against hym. Must it not needes be then that we be out of our wittes, when wee diminish Gods authoritie after that fashion, and yeeld more credit to creatures than to him that made both heauen and earth wyth his only word, and mainteyneth all things by the same? That is the cause why S. Paule in this text vseth this preface: I speake (sayth he) after the manner of men. For if hee had sayd no more but thys: Couenantes shall bee kept heere bylow without breaking or repealing, and therefore needes must Gods promis bee euerlasting: that had bin true, but yet had he spoken too coldly of Gods maiestie, in raunging him so in aray among earthly creatures. But whereas hee sayth that hee speaketh after the manner of