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

Also therewithal let us look well to ourselves: for sometimes we shall think we commit but some small and light fault in swerving aside: but [in the end] we shall wonder how God hath given us head, so as we shall be utterly strayed from him. And that is the cause why so few hold out to the end. For men do easily bear with themselves, under the foresaid pretence, bearing themselves in hand that it is nothing, and so every man giveth him self liberty. But God punisheth such recklessness, & giveth us over to it, so as Satan carieth us away. Wherefore let us walk in fear and wariness▪ and when •od hath once given us the ⟨image 223⟩grace to taste of his Gospel, let us endeavour too be confirmed in it day by day: let us beware in any wise that we step not aside from it, and let every of us be watchful in that behalf, least we make a deadly fall when we think we do but trip: finally, let us keep the way that our Lord Jesus Christ teacheth us. It is true that though we swerve aside, yet he will pity us, as we see by experience. For he must be fain too raise us up again, not three or four times in our whole life: but a hundred times every day. For we be fickle and never leave reeling too and fro. Nevertheless let us not tempt him, nor so harden ourselves that the Devil lead us away or draw us one way or other: but let us labour too make the seed of life available in us, seeing that God will have us too yield forth fruit too his honour in all our thoughts, words, and deeds. Let us beware that we endeavour ourselves hereunto. Now hereupon Saint Paul addeth, that he would fain have the Galatians fashion themselves like unto him, because that he on his side laboureth to apply himself unto them. It should seem that this saying differeth far from that which we heard even now: for it was as a stroke of some tempest or thunderclap when he said. I am afraid least I have lost my labour upon you: I will let you alone like folk past amendment. It grieved him too see that the doctrine which he had preached was so ill received, and now he useth a gentle and friendly manner of speech.

Also therewithall let vs looke well to ourselues: for sometimes we shall thinke we commit but some small and light fault in swaruing asyde: but [in the end] we shall wonder how God hath giuen vs head, so as wee shall bee vtterly strayed from him. And that is the cause why so feaw holde out to the end. For men doo easly beare wyth themselues, vnder the foresayde pretence, bearing themselues in hand that it is nothing, and so euery man giueth him selfe libertie. But God punisheth such rechlesnesse, & giueth vs ouer to it, so as Satan carieth vs away. VVherefore let vs walke in feare and warenesse and when od hath once gyuen vs the