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

Then is nothing too be taken and allowed for a good course or race, but only the obedience which we yield unto Gods truth. Were this throughly well known to the world now a days, there would not be so much trouble and contention as is seen. For what is the cause that we draw not all by one line, and that every of us reacheth not out his hand to his neighbour? It is for that most men cannot be persuaded to obey God. Therefore the true course of the faithful is well showed to us by the Prophet Isaiah when he saith,¹ that every man shall take his fellow by the hand, and say, Go we, let us go up too the Lords hill, and he will teach us his ways. Now were we fully resolved of this point, so as we were altogether willing and desirous to submit our selves to God: it is certain that we should all of us run together, and the foremost should help forward the hindermost, and the weaker sort should not envy such as were their guides, yea and that would give them courage to go on. But although we see the world full of stubbornness, and every man given to his own liking, yet must we profit our selves by this doctrine: that is too wit, by imprisoning our senses, that we take not a licentious liberty too do what we list, but that we obey the truth, assuring our selves that the foundation whereupon it behoveth us too build, is the said faithful obedience which we yield unto Gods word. And whereas S. Paul useth this word Truth, it is specially to beat down all foolish presumptuousness and overweening, because men bear them selves in hand that they be wise enough to order their own life. And out of this overboldnesse sprang also the Sea gulf of all superstitions. For if men knew them selves too be such as they be in deed, that is to wit, to be poor, blind, and ignorant: it is certain that they would with all humbleness hearken unto God, and then should not there be so many partakings and sects as there be. But what? As I said afore, men will needs be overwise. Now S. Paul, too pull down all loftiness, and to rid us of all pride and presumption, saith that there is no truth to be found but in the doctrine that cometh […] God, and that how sure so ⟨image 268⟩ever we ween our selves to be, there is nothing but mere folly in us, except God govern us, and Gods word reign wholly over us.

Then is nothing too bee taken and allowed for a good course or race, but only the obedience which wee yeelde vnto Gods truthe. VVere this throughly well knowen to the world nowe a dayes, there woulde not bee so muche trouble and contention as is seene. For what is the cause that wee drawe not all by one lyne, and that euery of vs reacheth not out his hande to his neighbour? It is for that most men cannot be persuaded to obey God. Therefore the true course of the faythfull is well shewed to vs by the Prophet Esay when he sayth,