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

For they would always clear themselves, and although they be a laughing stock even too little children, they pass not for it, but glory still of the hardening of themselves in their own lewdness and filthiness. Therefore let us keep our selves from falling into such wilful stubbornness: and in judging unfeignedly of our vices according to truth, let us also be lowly minded too humble our selves and to beat down all pride in us, too the end that nothing may let us from acknowledging freely that we have done amiss. This is the effect of that which we have to remember upon this text. Now a man might think it strange that S. Paul should say, that the Galatians had received him as an Angel of God, yea or rather as Jesus Christ. For what perfection of holiness so ever was in him, yet could he not match with the Angels, as we see how he speaketh in the seventh […] the Romans, where he acknowledgeth ⟨image 228⟩himself too be wretched, and showeth that he is as a poor captive and slave of the world under the bondage of sin. Although S. Paul had an earnest desire too serve God: yet notwithstanding he knew he did but drag his legs after him, and that he had many infirmities to pluck him back. And here he sayeth that he was received as an Angel: yea and he stayeth not there, but addeth further, as Jesus Christ, who (as we know) is the very Son of God, and highest King, which hath sovereign power over all creatures. But here the case concerneth not Saint Pauls life, nor any worthiness that he pretendeth in himself. He hath an eye only to the doctrine. It is said first, that he was received as an Angel of God.¹ And why not? For the same title hath bin given too all such as have had charge too bear abroad the doctrine of the Law, and of much more reason ought too be given to the publishers of the Gospel: for there God uttereth his majesty and power, much more than he did in old time under the Law. Forasmuch then as God appointeth mortal men to speak in his name and authority: it is requisite that they should be acknowledged to be his Angels, that is to say, Messengers or Ambassadors, for the word Angel betokeneth none other thing. And in good sooth too what purpose were the doctrine which we here, if it came not of God?

For they would alwaies cleere themselues, and although they bee a laughing stocke euen too little children, they passe not for it, but glory still of the hardening of themselues in their owne leudnesse and filthinesse. Therfore let vs keepe our selues from falling into such wilfull stubbornnesse: and in iudging vnfeynedly of our vices according to truth, let vs also be lowlyminded too humble our selues and to beate downe all pryde in vs, too the end that nothing may let vs from acknowledging freely that wee haue done amisse. This is the effect of that which wee haue to remember vppon this text. Now a man might thinke it straunge that S. Paule should say, that the Galathians had receyued him as an Angell of God, yea or rather as Iesus Christ. For what perfection of holinesse so euer was in him, yet could he not match with the Angelles, as wee see how he speaketh in the seuenth the Romanes, where he acknowledgeth