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

Now we see Pauls meaning. He mocketh the hypocrites which think that all is marred if there be not store of gauds, and gewgaws when men should go unto God, and that they may not go to him as it were with banner displayed. According whereunto we see how they prank up things with pomp, of lamps, perfumes, & tapers, gay disguised cotes, puppets, and such other things. When they have this gear once, to their own seeming they be so well cloaked, that God knows no more what they do, and that their vices are well sheltered under such shadow: and yet for all that, they do but spite him openly. Now S. Paul laugheth that opinion too scorn, saying, that although we have none of all those pomps, there is enough besides wherewith […] God to keep us occupied, & that ⟨p. 242⟩is charity. But to be short, S. Paul meant to tell us here, that Gods service is spiritual. For when we love our neighbours, it is a token that we love God. I mean when we love them according to Gods ordinance. For it is no love too love a man for our own profits sake, but to love even our enemies, so as we be patient to bear the wrongs that are done us, so as we strain ourselves to do good too such as have need of our help, and so as none of us be given to himself nor to his own peculiar profit, but that we endeavour as members of one body to help each other as much as is possible. If we be once at that point, then doth our life sufficiently answer for us, and witness that we love God. But we cannot love him before we know him. Therefore is charity an infallible sign and token that we be willing to serve God, not in paying him with chaff in stead of corn, but by loving our neighbour truly and unfeignedly. And so let the Papists brag as much as they list of their gewgaws and gay shows wherewith they think to cousin God, as it were to make a mockingstocke of him: yet shall the thing that is uttered here by S. Pauls mouth stand always sure, that is too with, that such things are naughtworth before God. And why? For if Circumcision were abolished when the time and term of it was expired: what shall become of the things that have bin foolishly and malapertly forged in the shops of mens own fancies, which took upon them that which belonged not too them, nor was by any means lawful for them to do? Ye see then what we have too bear in mind.

Now we see Paules meaning. He mocketh the hypocrites which thinke that all is mard if there bee not store of gawdes, and gewgawes when men should go vntoo God, and that they may not go to him as it were with banner displayed. According whervnto wee see how they pranke vp things with pompe, of lampes, perfumes, & tapers, gay disguised cotes, puppets, and such other things. VVhen they haue this geere once, to their owne seeming they bee so well cloked, that God knowes no more what they doo, and that their vices are well sheltred vnder such shadow: and yet for al that, they doo but spite him openly. Now S. Paule laugheth that opinion too scorne, saying, that although we haue none of al those pomps, there is ynough besides wherwith God to keepe vs occupied, & that