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

And again we see what pureness shineth there, how that all the treasures of Gods righteousness, mercy & goodness are uttered there. Thus then you see what manner of thing Gods word is, and what is the nature thereof. Nevertheless when we corrupt it and falsify it by our own fancies, and make a minglemangle of it: we may still be taken for Gods children, howbeit we shall be but as bastard children, as shall be declared more at large (by Gods leave) after dinner. For then will S. Paul declare, that although Ismael were the eldest Son, yet was he in the end driven out of the house wherein he had taken the chief ⟨image 242⟩room upon him, howbeit that he was but a bastard, and also borne of a bondwoman. Then let us mark that we must not only be begotten by Gods word into a pure faith, and God by his holy spirit enlighten us that we may know his will according as he witnesseth it unto us. For if we change his word after our own fancy, and disguise it: truly it may be called Gods seed still, but yet is it not so in deed, what soever we make of it, because it abideth not in his own soundness. And here ye see the cause why so many do now adays falsely name themselves Christians: according as the Papists will well enough confess that they believe in God, and that they be contented too hold themselves too the holy Scripture. But yet for all that, it is apparent that they be utterly perverted, and that as touching the Scripture, whereas they ought too receive it with all reverence, they turn it too their own liking, yea and make a mockage and scoff of it, and (as I said erewhiles) they spew out this blasphemy against it, that it is a nose of wax, and that men may turn it which way they list: and moreover it is apparent that they have turmoiled all things by their own forgeries. For what else do men call Gods seruis in popery, but the things that men have set down of their own brain. There is no mention of ruling themselves by Gods commandment and ordinance. God must be thrust out of his place, and men take upon them that which belongeth unto him, challenging authority too bring folks consciences into bondage, and to make what laws they think good. But that is to villainous and outrageous a corruption. On the other side, whence do the Papists draw the Articles of their faith?

And againe we see what purenesse shyneth there, howe that all the treasures of Gods rightuousnesse, mercie & goodnesse are vttered there. Thus then you see what maner of thing Gods woord is, and what is the nature thereof. Neuerthelesse when we corrupt it and falsifie it by our own fancies, and make a minglemangle of it: we may still be takē for Gods children, howbeit we shall be but as bastard children, as shal be declared more at large (by Gods leaue) after dinner. For then will S. Paule declare, that although Ismaell were the eldest Sonne, yet was he in the ende driuen out of the house wherein he had taken the chiefe