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

Forasmuch then as there is no rebelliousness in the Angels: therefore also they have no striving when they should give themselves to the service of God: for they be wholly bent and inclined thereunto. But S. Paul letteth us that we must not be slothful in serving of God. And why? for our nature draggeth always •••ke, and we should never love goodness, except we were enforced and compelled to it. Therefore ⟨p. 265⟩men must enforce and constrain themselves, and maintain battle as against a deadly enemy, when they intend to go forward in goodness. And who be our enemies? Truly the devil is the chief, and he giveth us terrible assaults. But yet therewithal, all our own thoughts, all our own affections, all our desires, are all deadly enemies that labour to bring us to destruction. Now if they fight against God, it is certain that they be also against our salvation. We see then how S. Pauls meaning here, is as though he had cried out alarm, to show that if Christians be either slepish or slothful, and think to serve God at their own ease: they beguile themselves, & that forasmuch as they have battle upon battle to endure without end or ceasing, and Satan tempteth them day and night, walking about one while with wiles and treason, and another while setting upon them by open force to drive them out of the way: they must arm themselves throughly, and enter into the encounter, and hold it out to the end, & not look to have any peace or truce, till God take them out of the world. Ye see in effect what S. Pauls doctrine importeth. And this exhortation is more than necessary for us, because most men think it enough, if they have but some little devotion or willingness to serve God: and although they welter in much filthiness, all is one to them: and othersome repine when they see how hard a thing it is to rule their life well. And how is that possible? God seemeth to press us out of measure, for he seeketh not what may please us, but rather condemneth it. But how shall we bring to pass that we may put our selves to it? For our inclination goeth clean contrary to his will. It seemeth then that he mocketh us when he presseth so upon us: and why doth he not give us another manner of nature than that? Lo how diverse men blaspheme God, in having an eye to their own sinfulness.

Forasmuch then as there is no rebelliousnesse in the Angels: therfore also they haue no striuing when they should giue themselues to the seruice of God: for they bee wholly bent and inclined thervnto. But S. Paule letteth vs that wee must not bee slouthfull in seruing of God. And why? for our nature draggeth alwayes ke, and wee shoulde neuer loue goodnesse, except wee were inforced and compelled to it. Therefore