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

Again, let us also be well advised, that if our vices be touched, we cast not a block in the way by conceiving and surmising this false opinion in our heads, that it is done of hatred: for that is the policy of Satan. Although men be inclinable to think that other men do bite them and nip them of hatred: yet let us not think that they do it of their own mere motion, but by the Devils means, who snarleth them after that fashion. If we be rebuked when we have done amiss, whence soever the same cometh, surely it is a message sent of God, because he will not have us too perish, ⟨image 227⟩but would have us to return unto the right way, notwithstanding that the party which findeth fault with us do it not of a good and pure affection, but seeketh only to spite us, or to wreak his teen upon us: for yet doth God nevertheless reach us his hand, too the end we should not perish. But behold, Satan on the contrary part stoppeth us from receiving of the medicine, and putteth us in the head, that the rebuking of our faults cometh not of good will, but that there is a pad in the straw, so as we be either too much sifted, or too sore bitten, or else that there is some other secrete grudge lurking unseen. All these imaginations doth Satan mingle with mens admonitions, to the intent we should be out of love with them, and refuse them, and by that means rebel against God. Wherefore let us bear well in mind what is said here, to the end that when we be warned of our faults, we may consider, that God, to the intent he would not be our judge himself, appointeth as it were attorneys & solicitors in his name, to come and charge us with our offences. When a mortal man rebuketh me for my misdoings, it is Gods will he should do so, and he hath appointed him in his place. And too what end? That we should not come before his Majesty to yield an account of them▪ for it were better for us too be drowned a hundred thousand times. God then doth pity us, when he sendeth us mortal men to be our judges, yea even to be our judges to put us too some shame, and thereby to stir us up afterward to return again into the right way. Therefore whensoever God is so merciful unto us:

Againe, let vs also be well aduized, that if our vices be touched, wee cast not a blocke in the way by conceyuing and surmising this false opinion in our heades, that it is done of hatred: for that is the pollicie of Satan. Although men be inclinable to thinke that other men do bite them and nip them of hatred: yet let vs not thinke that they doo it of their owne mere motion, but by the Diuels meanes, who snarleth them after that fashion. If we bee rebuked when wee haue done amysse, whence soeuer the same commeth, surely it is a message sente of God, bycause hee will not haue vs too perishe,