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

We need no teaching to seek the thing which we think to be good and profitable for us: for every man is inclined to that by nature, yea & too much given unto it. But the mischief is, that we know not the true profit from the thing that is harmful, but are oftentimes so blinded with our foolish lusts, that every of us overthroweth himself wilfully. Not that we forget the thing which I said to be imprinted in our hearts: but for that we be carried away by our unruly lusts, or else so bleared with the vanities of this world, that we have no discretion at all to judge rightly. And therefore we ought to flee unto God continually so much the more, that he may give us skill to discern what is good for us, to the intent we may serve him, and have our minds so wholly set upon him, as we may never be removed: specially for so much as it oftentimes falleth out, that such as are taken to be very wise to the worldward, become like little children according to the alteration of their desires, giving up the things which they had set much store by, and gadding after some pelting trifle that cometh in their sight, so as there is no stay at all in them. Sometimes we shall see a chief run after three or four at once, ⟨p. 208⟩and if there come a thing, that he fought for he catcheth at that by and by: and anon after if he spy an apple or a cherry, or some other thing that likes him, he leaves all the residue too run after that. Even so play we: no doubt but we always think our selves wise enough, and we take scorn too be taught at any mans hand, or too be warned what is good for us, for it seems too us too be an offering of wrong too us: but yet experience showeth that we want both wit and reason. For what is the cause that men do so toss and turmoil themselves out of measure, and yet run astray all their life long? As I said afore, all of us with one common accord hold this principle, that we desire too seek our own profit, there is neither great nor small but he is inclined unto that. But let us see whereunto men apply their minds: there is not that man whose affections boil not within him, insomuch that ye shall see the greatest number (as ye would say) rack themselves, and their minds never cease day nor night too run still upon the things that come afore them, whereby they hope for any profit.

WEe neede no teaching to seeke the thing which we thinke to be good and profitable for vs: for euery man is inclined to that by nature, yea & too much giuen vnto it. But the mischief is, that we know not the true profite frō the thing that is harmfull, but are oftentimes so blinded with our foolish lusts, that euery of vs ouerthroweth himself wilfully. Not that we forget the thing which I said to be imprinted in our hartes: but for that we be caried away by our vnruly lustes, or else so bleared with the vanities of this world, that we haue no discretion at all to iudge rightly. And therfore we ought to flee vnto God continually so much the more, that he may giue vs skill to discerne what is good for vs, to the intent we may serue him, and haue our mindes so wholly set vpon him, as we may neuer be remoued: specially for somuch as it oftentimes falleth out, that suche as are taken to be very wise to the worldward, become lyke little children according to the alteratiō of their desires, giuing vp the things which they had set much store by, and gadding after some pelting trifle that cōmeth in their sight, so as there is no stay at all in them. Sometimes we shall see a chiefe runne after three or foure at once,