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 must mark that the persecutions of Gods children are not done, only by sword, fire, racking, imprisonment, or other torments of the body: but also in that they be wounded with the scornful reproaches which the unbelievers and enemies of Gods truth do spue out against them.¹ And if we do well practise the thing that is said in the Psalm, we shall not think the manner of speech strange which S▪ Paul useth here. For where as it is said, that the railings which are caste forth against Gods maiest••, ought too rebound back upon ⟨p. 227⟩us: it is to show that we ought to be very tender hearted or squeamish when we here Gods name set light, or his honour diminished in any manner of wise. If any of us be touched in our good name or honesty, we will be angry and make a quarrel of it: we see that for one cross word, choleric fellows do by and by draw their swords, and all is under colour that they must maintain their honour and honesty. If a man speak evil of our Parents or kinsfolk, we will be in such heat and fumish passions, as we can not be appeased. Then if God be misused, or his majesty dishonoured in mens mouths, aught we to suffer, and not to be moved to choler and anger?² Even for that cause also it is said, that the zeal of Gods house ought to eat us up, so as we must not only be well minded and sorry for the defacing of the majesty of our God, and for the corrupting of the doctrine of salvation, and for the disordering of his Church: but these things must also bite us at the hart. According hereunto it is said here that Ismael persecuted Isaac. If a man demand, what? had he neither torture, fire, nor sword to cut his throat? No, none of all these: but he scoffed at the promise that had bin made concerning Isaac. For it was said expressly, Ismael shall live: but yet is he not therefore heir of the promise, Isaac is he in whom they shall be blessed. Ye see then that Jesus Christ, and consequently all hope of salvation was closed up in the person of Isaac.³ When Ismael did so disdain and scorn the sovereign welfare and happiness, that mockage of his wounded all the children of adoption, & all the faithful, yea even with a deadly stripe. Now then we see what S.