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

So then we see after what manner we must fashion our selves to such as are weak. It is not too harden them in their naughtiness, but rather to amend them: nevertheless we must go by measure, having always an eye to our own ability. And truly it is not for naught that S. Paul in another text exhorteth the stronger sort,¹ and the forwarder sort,² to apply themselves to such as are yet raw and weak. For if a man had never so great and excellent virtues, that he were as an Angel: yet surely if he be so rigorous that he will have every man too be as perfect as himself, all his virtues will be but smoke. Why so? For the mildness and gentleness which God commandeth us, serve to give as it were a taste and savour to all virtues. And the better that a man knows himself, the more will he be think him of the vices that are in him, which have need to be borne withal, and therefore that he must also bear with others. Again he will consider too what end God hath advanced him, namely to show other men the way, and finally he will bear with himself least of all men. And hereby may a man have a good inkling too discern whether the admonitions proceed of pure love, or whether they proceed of too much sternness. For if in rebuking other men, a man take not heed to himself, and flatter not himself, ne cast forth his choler to find fault with this man or that mans vice, but in the mean while is utterly stained himself, and would fain be plunged in it over head and ears: it is certain that all is but hypocrisy. But when a man reineth himself short, and desireth not to be more borne withal than his neighbours: if therewithal he be rigorous, it is to be acknowledged that he hath the zeal of God, and of his holy spirit in him, and that he procureth the welfare of all men. Thus ye see in effect why Saint Paul sayeth here, that he intended to fashion himself to the Galatians. Now he addeth further, that they had not hurt or offended him in any thing, meaning thereby that he undertook not any private quarrel against them. For the very things that mar all when doctrine and Admonitions come to be put forth, are that either we be of opinion that the party which speaketh is not worthy too be heard, or that we bear some hatred or pitch towards him •••ure hearts.

So then we see after what maner we must fashion our selues to such as are weake. It is not too harden them in their naughtinesse, but rather to amende them: neuerthelesse we must go by measure, hauing alwayes an eie to our owne abilitie. And truely it is not for naught that S. Paule in another text exhorteth the stronger sort,