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

Therefore let us conclude that we be utterly drowned in cursedness to all respects, till God look mercifully upon us and draw us out of it. Thus ye see in effect how we must apply this saying of S. Pauls too our instruction: namely that for so much as we consider not by the vices that are hidden in us, that God cometh to examine our life: therefore we must learn to humble our selves. And secondly that when we see our sins to be such as are known and manifest to all men and utterly unexcusable, yea even before children: we must be led further thereby: that is to wit, we must search our selves to the bottom, and understand that all our lusts and all our thoughts are utter rebelliousness against God. Now if every man were diligent in examining himself after this fashion: surely we should all of us have cause to sigh and groan, all pride & loftiness would be laid down, yea and we would be ashamed of our whole life. But it is seen that every of us turneth away as much as he can from the considering of his own sins: we cast them quite and clean behind our backs. Yet notwithstanding God forgetteth them not: howbeit if we would that he should forget them, it would behove us to remember them our selves. And that is the thing whereunto S. Paul encourageth us in this text. Furthermore we see what fondness and ignorance, or rather beastliness hath bin in the Popish doctors, in that they have thought this word Flesh too be token nothing else in man but fleshliness or sensuality as they term it. For thus do they part it. They be contented to grant that there is nothing but corruption in all our lusts which they term by the name of inferior or lower: but in the mean while (say they) we have our will free, yea even in such sort as there remaineth some [sound] reason and understanding in us. Ye see then, that in the opinion of the Papists, man is then sensual, when he behaveth not himself according too reason, but yieldeth to much either to whoredom, or to drunkenness, or to gluttony, or to such other like things. But S. Paul mustereth Ambition or vainglory here in the same it ink with them. For whereof cometh ⟨image 294⟩it that men bear such spite one to another, and heave one at another to surmount each other, and to be counted wiser or wittier than other men? Is it not for that every man coveteth to be a jolly fellow to the worldward?

Therefore let vs conclude that we be vtterly drowned in cursednesse to all respectes, till God looke mercyfully vpon vs and drawe vs out of it. Thus ye see in effect how wee must apply this saying of S. Paules too our instruction: namely that for so much as we consider not by the vyces that are hidden in vs, that God commeth to examine our life: therfore we must learne to humble our selues. And secondly that when we see our sinnes to be such as are knowen and manifest to all men and vtterly vnexcusable, yea euen before children: we must be led further thereby: that is to wit, we must search our selues to the bottome, and vnderstand that all our lustes and al our thoughts are vtter rebelliousnesse against God. Now if euery man were diligent in examining himself after this fashion: surely we should all of vs haue cause to sigh and grone, all pryde & loftinesse would be layd downe, yea and we would be ashamed of our whole life. But it is seene that euery of vs turneth away as much as he can from the considering of his owne sinnes: wee cast them quite and cleane behind our backes. Yet notwithstanding God forgetteth thē not: howbeit if we would that he should forget them, it would behoue vs to remember them our selues. And that is the thing wherevnto S. Paule incourageth vs in this text. Furthermore wee see what fondnesse and ignorance, or rather beastlinesse hath bin in the Popish doctours, in that they haue thought this woord Flesh too be token nothing else in man but fleshlinesse or sensualitie as they terme it. For thus do they part it. They bee contented to graunt that there is nothing but corruption in all our lustes which they terme by the name of inferiour or lower: but in the meane while (say they) we haue our will free, yea euen in such sort as there remayneth some [sound] reason and vnderstanding in vs. Ye see then, that in the opinion of the Papists, man is then sensuall, when he behaueth not himself according too reason, but yeeldeth to much eyther to whoredome, or to drunkennesse, or to gluttonie, or to such other like things. But S. Paule mustereth Ambition or vaynglorie heere in the same it nke with them. For whereof cō meth