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

Again ye shall see that the most part of the enemies are as greedy wolves that desire to devour all, and seek to shed innocent blood, to the intent that they may have their goods. Othersome have a frenetic zeal, insomuch that they would fain have the name of God clean wiped out, and the doctrine of the Gospel utterly quenched. When men see this: ô (say they) I will not meddle with it. What? Shall I bring all the world in my top? Is it not manifest that they which have tasted this doctrine are but a handful of men, and that all others are enemies too them, or else they do reject them or laugh them to scorn, or at leastwise bear a poisoned and malicious heart against them? Ye see then, that very few are so strong, as too bear out the stumblingblockes of the Gospel, when they see as it were logs cast in their way, and that Jesus Christ is hindered by Satan, and by the practises of his underlings. O (say they) we must needs back again. Yea and what a number are too be seen at this day, which will say that this doctrine bringeth store of stumblingblockes? Again, see I pray you what diversity of opinions it hath (say they.) Behold such a one speaketh thus, and such a one thus. Furthermore when the wicked sort which set their tongues to sale like harlots in a Brothelhouse, and cast out blasphemies against God and his word, find any cloak either too despise or too reject the Gospel: by and by many wretched folk have their tongues filed to say, Alas, we see that this doctrine bringeth great stumblingblockes with it. Yea and Jesus Christ should not be that which the holy Scripture reporteth him too be, if the Gospel caused not many stumblings. But yet must we not be dismayed at them: we must rather overcome them. Thus ye see what we have too gather upon this strain, where Saint Paul sayeth that we shall never hold out in the faith of the Gospel, except we be armed with such constancio, as not to turn out of the way, let Satan do what he can. Verily (as I said afore) we must (as much as we can) eschew all stumblingblocks, and go on forward, and put the• •side.

Again ye shall see that the most part of the enemies are as greedie woolues that desire to deuour all, and seeke to shed innocent bloud, to the intent that they may haue their goodes. Othersome haue a frentike zeale, insomuch that they woulde fayne haue the name of God cleane wyped out, and the doctrine of the Gospell vtterly quenched. VVhen men see this: ô (say they) I will not meddle with it. VVhat? Shall I bring all the world in my toppe? Is it not manifest that they which haue tasted this doctrine are but a handfull of men, and that all others are enemies too them, or else they doo reiect them or laugh them to scorne, or at leastwyse beare a poysoned and malicious heart agaynst them? Yee see then, that verie fewe are so strong, as too beare out the stumblingblockes of the Gospell, when they see as it were logges cast in theyr way, and that Iesus Christ is hyndered by Satan, and by the practises of his vnderlings. O (say they) wee muste needes backe againe. Yea and what a number are too bee seene at thys day, whiche will say that this doctrine bringeth store of stumblingblockes? Againe, see I praye you what diuersitie of opinions it hathe (say they.) Beholde such a one speaketh thus, and such a one thus. Furthermore whē the wicked sort which set their tongues to sale lyke harlots in a Brothelhouse, and cast out blasphemies agaynst God and his woorde, finde any cloke eyther too despize or too reiect the Gospell: by and by many wretched folke haue theyr tongues fyled to say, Alas, we see that this doctrine bringeth great stumblingblockes with it. Yea and Iesus Christ shoulde not bee that whiche the holy Scripture reporteth him too bee, if the Gospell caused not many stumblings. But yet muste wee not bee dismayed at them: wee muste rather ouercome them. Thus ye see what wee haue too gather vppon this streyne, where Saint Paule sayeth that wee shall neuer holde out in the fayth of the Gospell, except wee bee armed with such constancio, as not to turne out of the way, let Satan do what hee can. Verely (as I sayde afore) wee must (as much as wee can) eschue all stumblingblocks, and go on forwarde, and put the side.