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

it is as much as if unrepealable judgement were already given against all such as go about to break the union of faith, and the agreement of brotherhood that ought to be among all Gods children, and to sow errors and heresies to falsify the ⟨p. 258⟩pure truth. Furthermore God showeth how dearly he loveth us, (as hath bin declared this morning) wherein he giveth us a warrant of the fatherly care which he hath of our salvation, in that he taketh such vengeance on all such as would disappoint the same. And finally he saith, Brethren, ye be called too freedom: only make it not an occasion of fleshliness, but serve ye one another in love, because it is the true fulfilling of the Law, and the very squire also whereby we must rule all our works. Here Saint Paul showeth, first that his striving is not too bring too pass that men might live at their own ease, and every body sport as they list themselves: but that we might be free before God. And that is well worth the marking. For as soon as this word freedom or liberty is spoken of, every of us is so inclined to his fleshly lusts, that by and by we think with our selves, very well, then may I do what I list, I am no more restrained, I need not any more to think my self so much bound, nor to make so great scruple of conscience as I have done. Thus ye see how that under the pretence of liberty, every of us makes him self thrall to his own affections. For it is a policy of the Devils, to deceive and beguile us in the things that seem to be good, yea and to turn them to the clean contrary. For (as I have declared heretofore) it is certain that all such as covet to live after their own liking, become wretched bondslaves, and are held in straiter bondage than such as are set in the stocks or manacles. And why? Let us consider a little what tyranny there is in our lusts & passions. If a man follow his own lusts, surely he must needs shake off all shame, & forget himself, & become a very beast. Lo here the goodly liberty that all men seek commonly by nature. But I have told you that the liberty whereunto S. Paul exhorteth us, is another manner of thing. It is not that we should run a• rovers, and have no bridle to hold us in awe:

it is as much as if vnrepealable iudgement were alreadie giuen agaynst all suche as go about to breake the vnion of fayth, and the agreement of brotherhood that ought to be among all Gods children, and to sowe errours and heresies to falsifie the ⟨p. 258⟩