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

The. 34. Sermon, which is the fourth upon the fifth Chapter.

The. 34. Sermon, which is the fourth vpon the fifth Chapter.

11 My brethren, if I preach still the circumcision, why ⟨image 274⟩suffer I yet persecution? [For] then is the stumblingblocke of the cross put away. 12 I would too God that they with trouble you were cut of. 13 For you, my brethren, were called unto liberty: only make not your liberty an occasion too the flesh, but serve ye one another through love. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self.

11 My brethren, if I preach still the circumcizion, vvhy ⟨image 274⟩suffer I yet persecution? [For] then is the stumblingblocke of the crosse put avvay. 12 I vvould too God that they vvich trouble you vvere cut of. 13 For you, my bretheren, vvere called vntoo libertie: onely make not your libertie an occasion too the fleshe, but serue yee one another through loue. 14 For all the lavve is fulfilled in one vvoord, vvhich is this, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy self.

IT is seen that men are so given to their own profit in all their doings, that always they bow crookedly and overthwartly without respect of equity & uprightness. For mens covetousness, and the respect which they have either to their profit or too their ease, doth so blind their eyes, as they can discern nothing. Specially when Gods word is to be carried abroad, then if a man forget not himself, and shut not his eyes against the things that may turn him away in this world from walking purely before God: surely he shall never hold on his course, but be still starting out, now on the one side and now on the other. By means whereof Gods doctrine is oftentimes corrupted, because that they which ought too bear it abroad, are inclined either too hatred or favour, and are afraid of purchasing themselves some displeasure, or of provoking some anger against them. Therefore it is unpossible too serve God purely in our state of calling, unless we be fully resolved, yea even with an invincible constancy, not to be grieved if we be driven to suffer for the doctrine which we bear abroad: but to fight lustily under the standard of our Captain Jesus Christ, knowing that we cannot come to the glory of his resurrection, but by suffering aforehand with him after his example. The faithful must be fain to fashion themselves unto that. But the case of such as should teach and have the