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

Then is there here wherewith to abash us. But mark how S. Paul for conclusion saith, that there is no law against such things. That is to say, if we be once governed by Gods spirit, then shall we no more be subject too the law. It is true that here he giveth courage to all the faithful, because they shall always feel infirmity in themselves, till they be quite rid of this mortal body. But howsoever the case stand, seeing that God holdeth them up, and ceaseth not too accept their service though they be not throughly and perfectly reformed: therefore they may be able too hold out, whereas otherwise they should be cumbered and fall into despair. S. Paul then meant too exhort us here unto constancy, saying that if we be governed by Gods spirit, we be no more subject too the law. But yet therewithal he did also give an indirect taunt to those against whom he disputeth, as we have seen already this morning. For the things which they had for their virtues were but gewgaws. Like as in these days in popery, if a man speak of their holiness and their serving of God: it is nothing else but a making of mops and mows, and a sort of Ceremonies that is to say, a deal of pelting trash. When a Papist mumbleth up his matins, when he haileth or greeteth a puppet, when he gaddeth from altar to altar, when these hypocrites have lighted up their candles, when they have sprinkled themselves well with holy water, when they have well crossed and recrossed themselves both before & behind, when they have fasted Lent well, & to be short when they have overlaboured themselves to redeem themselves either by Masses or by other abominations: that is their serving and honouring of God. Besides this, if there be a fair Lamp in the Church, if the Organs pipe merrily, if there be store of gay copes and vestments, if the puppets be well gilded, if men perfume them throughly and seek their favour with many other such dotages: that is all the perfection of the Papists. And yet is it but stark leasing, yea and very gewgaws, or rather utter abominations, how great virtues so ever they esteem them to be. But we on our side say that Gods service is spiritual and that he regardeth not the things that are seen of men,¹ but require […] uncorruptnesse and soundness of heart,² according as it is said in the fifth of Jeremiah.

Then is there heere wherwith to abashe vs. But mark how S. Paule for conclusion sayth, that there is no lawe ageinst such things. That is to say, if we be once gouerned by Gods spirit, then shall we no more bee subiect too the lawe. It is true that heere he giueth corage to all the faithfull, bicause they shal alwayes feele infirmitie in themselues, till they bee quite rid of this mortall body. But howsoeuer the cace stand, seeyng that God holdeth thē vp, and cesseth not too accept theyr seruice thoughe they bee not throughly and perfectly reformed: therfore they may bee able too hold out, wheras otherwise they should bee combered and fall into dispaire. S. Paule then ment too exhort vs heere vntoo constancie, saying that if we bee gouerned by Gods spirit, we be no more subiect too the lawe. But yet therwithall he did also gyue an indirect taunt to those ageinst whom he disputeth, as wee haue seen already this morning. For the things which they had for their vertues were but gewgawes. Like as in these dayes in poperie, if a man speake of their holinesse and their seruing of God: it is nothing else but a making of moppes and mowes, and a sort of Ceremonies that is to say, a deele of pelting trash. VVhen a Papist mumbleth vp his mattins, when he hayleth or greeteth a puppet, when he gaddeth from altar to altar, when these hypocrites haue lighted vp their candles, when they haue sprinkled themselues well with holiwater, when they haue well crossed and recrossed thēselues both before & behind, when they haue fasted Lent wel, & to be short whē they haue ouerlabored themselues to redeeme themselues eyther by Masses or by other abhominations: that is their seruing and honouring of God. Besides this, if there be a faire Lamp in the Church, if the Organes pipe merily, if there be store of gay copes and vestimentes, if the puppets bee well gilded, if men perfume them throughly and seeke their fauor with many other such dotages: that is all the perfection of the Papistes. And yet is it but starke leasing, yea and verie gewgawes, or rather vtter abhominations, how great vertues so euer they esteeme them to be. But we on our side say that Gods seruice is spirituall and that he regardeth not the things that are seene of men,