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

even out of their own decrees, for they reck not too draw any resolution out of the holy Scripture. So then they pass not a whit what is in the holy Scripture: but if any thing be agreed upon and received by common opinion, that is as an Oracle from heaven with them. And we see also that when they intend to prove any of their toys, the first reason that they make, is that it is received, and that antiquity ought to prevail, as who would say that there were any prescription in the matter: and thereupon they pull out certain texts of the Scripture by the hairs of the head, and these must also help forward the matter. But [when all comes to all] it is but flat mockery, & it is apparent ⟨p. 220⟩that they wilfully corrupt Gods word. For there is such gross and beastly ignorance in them, that very children might justly spit in their faces for it. So then the Papists are a fair looking glass too us at this day, for the things that are contained here in S. Paul: that is to wit, that many of them vaunt themselves to be Gods children, and household meiny of his Church, and yet notwithstanding are but bastard slips, and of a corrupted seed, because that in stead of cleaving throughly to the pure doctrine which were able too beget them again into the hope of the heavenly life, they be so given to their own minglings, that there is not any more soundness in them. But we need not to go any further too show that the matter which S. Paul treateth of here, is verified too much of the Popedom. For where abouts is our greatest strife now adays, but for freewill, for merits, for satisfactions, and for such other things? The Papists say that we are able by our own freewill, to purchase grace at Gods hand, not that we need not too be aided and succoured by his holy spirit, but because there is a certain matching together (say they) between God and us, so as God worketh one piece and we another. Thus do they make us Gods marrows, and like as our strength would be to weak if it were not succoured on Gods behalf: so should Gods grace (say they) be unavailable, if we made it not of force by our own moving thereunto. And hereupon again they forge & build their merits: there is none other talk among them, but of purchasing the realm of paradise, by making God beholden too them:

euen out of their owne decrees, for they recke not too drawe any resolution out of the holy Scripture. So then they passe not a whit what is in the holy Scripture: but if any thing be agreed vpō and receyued by common opinion, that is as an Oracle from heauen with them. And wee see also that when they intend to proue any of their toyes, the first reason that they make, is that it is receyued, and that antiquitie ought to preuayle, as who woulde say that there were any prescription in the matter: and therevpon they pull out certaine textes of the Scripture by the heares of the head, and these must also help forward the matter. But [when all comes to all] it is but flat mockerie, & it is apparāt