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

yet notwithstanding, that eldership of theirs which they allege, is not better nor of greater value than was the eldership of Ismael. Again, unto their eldership they add also multitude, saying, that we be but a handful of folk in comparison of them, they have kings & Princes on their side, the whole world agreeth with them, both great & small say as they say, & the largeness of their kingdom stretcheth out far & wide throughout all Europe ⟨p. 226⟩wellnigh, and into a piece of Africa. When they have all this for themselves, very well, it is even as the eldership of Ismael. Nay, it were more meet for them to have begun at the other end, that is to wit, at the holding fast of the pure doctrine of the Law & the Gospel, without mingling any thing at all with it: for else it is a general conclusion, that there is nothing in them but corruptness and bastardy. But they will not enter into this discourse, that men might know whither they be bacebegotten of Gods word or no: for it is seen too manifestly already. And in good faith (as I have said already) under the name of the Church, they have boldly taken upon them to disannul and falsify the whole word of God. So then there is no bringing of the Papists to the true trial or touchstone, that men might discern certainly whether they be Gods children or no: but they stand proudly upon their eldership as Ismael did: they allege that they are an infinite number, and we but sprules as ye would say, and folk despised to the worldwarde, which have neither estimation nor credit. Thus ye see how Ismael speaketh now a days by the mouth of the Papists. Now we for our part had need to be armed with patience: for it is a right hard temptation, that they which are Gods deadly foes, should after a sort possess the highest rooms in his house: & that we should be hidden under them like corn under chaff upon a barn floor. This is a hard & irksome plight. And surely we see many that give over the Gospel through infirmity. When the poor simple souls here these so brave titles of Catholic Church, of Apostolic sea, of Vicar of Christ, of Successor of S. Peter and S. Paul, of Prelates, and of Bishops: I say when all this gay gear is flashed out before the silly souls: they are amazed at it, and conclude by & by, then must we needs stick to it.

yet notwithstanding, that eldership of theirs which they alledge, is not better nor of greater value than was the eldership of Ismael. Agayn, vnto their eldership they add also multitude, saying, that wee be but a handfull of folke in comparison of them, they haue kings & Princes on their side, the whole world agreeth with thē, both great & smal say as they say, & the largenesse of their kingdome stretcheth out far & wide throughout al Europe