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

A man (say they) may be tempted to do his neighbour some wrong, he may have some heartburning and malice against him to be revenged of him that hath displeased him, and if occasion were offered, he might incontinently be sharp set: but yet none of all this is sin (say they) so there be no full consent and resolute purpose too do it. They do but wring their mouth awry like harlots, or snuff up their snouts like swine that have wallowed in dirt & filth. Though a man grudge and chafe against God, yea and doubt whither he have any care of him or no: and though he be tossed and turmoiled with much distrust so as he cannot by any means resort too God for refuge: all these things are no sin among the Papists. And I say not that only the common sort are thus abused: but it is the resolute doctrine and determination of all their Universities, that such things ought not to be counted sin. They can well enough say that before baptism all is sin: but when we be once baptized, then all is virtue: and although we doubt of God, although we have much heartburning against him, and although we be tempted with much impatience: yet notwithstanding, be we never so much provoked unto evil doing, or be we never so much shaken too and fro; all is well. To be short, though we be inclined to all things that God condemneth and disalloweth in his law, and which are not lawful for us to do: it makes no matter at all. But they be well worthy to be cast into such blockishness. For like as they have set up Idols and puppets to worship: so is it good reason that they should be sotted with their Gods, and make but a sport and play of righteousness and uncorruptnesse, as if a man should play with a little child. No marvel then though such manner of folk be harried away after that fashion: for inasmuch they have defaced Gods glory and brought it to nothing: they must needs become stark beasts. But let us on our side mark what I have alleged already upon the other •exte of S. Paul, namely that the Law is spiritual, and therefore •hat if our manifest deeds do ⟨p. 271⟩prove us too be rebels against God: then surely as oft as we be tickled with any wicked lusts inwardly, although the same be not known of men to make us faulty to the worldward: God will find an infinite number, yea even a whole sea of them.

A man (say they) may bee tempted to do his neighbour some wrong, he may haue some hartburning and malice against him to bee reuenged of him that hath displeased him, and if occasiō were offered, he might incontinently be sharpe set: but yet none of all this is sinne (say they) so there be no full consent and resolute purpose too do it. They doo but wring their mouth awry like harlots, or snuffe vp their snoutes lyke swyne that haue wallowed in dirt & filth. Though a mā grudge and chafe against God, yea and doubte whither he haue any care of him or no: and though he bee tossed and turmoyled with much distrust so as he cannot by any meanes resort too God for refuge: all these things are no sinne among the Papists. And I say not that only the common sort are thus abused: but it is the resolute doctrine and determination of all their Vniuersities, that suche things ought not to be counted sinne. They can well ynough say that before baptisme all is sinne: but when wee be once baptized, then all is vertue: and although we doubt of God, although we haue much hartburning against him, and although we be tempted with much impaciencie: yet notwithstanding, be wee neuer so much prouoked vnto euill doing, or be we neuer so much shaken too and fro; all is well. To be short, though we be inclined to al things that God condemneth and disalloweth in his lawe, and which are not lawfull for vs to do: it makes no matter at all. But they be well worthie to bee cast into such blockishnesse. For like as they haue set vp Idolles and puppettes to worship: so is it good reason that they should be sotted with their Gods, and make but a sport and play of rightuousnesse and vncorruptnesse, as if a man should play with a little childe. No maruell then though such maner of folke be harried away after that fashiō: for in asmuch they haue defaced Gods glory and brought it to nothing: they must needes become starke beastes. But let vs on our side marke what I haue alledged already vpon the other exte of S. Paule, namely that the Lawe is spirituall, and therefore hat if our manifest deedes doo