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

like as now a days the Hypocrites in the Popedom cry out loud against us, that we overthrow all good works, and intend to bring in a licentiousness of all evil, and to thrust out all desire of serving God. And why so? Because we uncase men out of all their fond presumption and self estimation, and show them that there is none other means to trust in God, than by resting upon his mere goodness in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We say flatly that all that ever is termed by the name of merit or desert, is stark abomination before God. For so much as they bear them selves in hand that they be their own Saviours. Ye see then that all loftiness of man is pulled down by our doctrine. But yet doth not that import, that every man should take leave to do lewdly, and have no more care of serving God, nor of standing in awe of him. But contrariwise we say that Jesus Christ is given unto us, not one […] obtain forgiveness of our sins at […] hand by his means: but also to the end that being regenerated by his holy spirit, we should ⟨p. 278⟩walk in newness of life. And now in sooth what manner of men are they that maintain the desert of good works so stoutly? We see there is nothing but all kind of cursed filthiness in their whole life. For if a man would seek for scoffers that are altogether unholy, and never have so much as any one feeling that ever they shall come to account, but are utterly doted by Satan: surely those are even they. Again, when as they magnify good works: what are the things that they would have men to give them selves unto. To babble much, to go to matins and evensong, to trot from altar too altar, too worship puppets, too deck them trim, too buy store of pardons, too gad on pilgrimage, and (too be short) too mock God too his face, as though all the service of God were but a play of young children. True it is that they dare not say but it is a good and commendable thing to be discrete, chaste, sober, and so forth: but yet they can easily forbear all those things, so a man keep their superstitions. Too be short, all Gods commandments are thrust under foot, and as it were trodden upon, and to their seeming it is no devotion nor holiness, except a man do all their gay gewgaws and things of nothing. Thus ye see how the contention that S. Paul had in his time, endureth still at this day.

lyke as now a dayes the Hypocrites in the Popedome crie out lowde agaynst vs, that wee ouerthrowe all good workes, and intende to bring in a licentiousnesse of all euill, and to thrust out all desire of seruing God. And why so? Bicause wee vncace men out of all their fonde presumption and selfe estimation, and shewe them that there is none other meanes to trust in God, than by resting vpon his meere goodnesse in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ. VVee say flatly that all that euer is termed by the name of merite or deserte, is starke abhomination before God. For so muche as they beare them selues in hande that they bee their owne Sauiours. Yee see then that all loftinesse of man is pulled downe by our doctrine. But yet dooth not that importe, that euery man should take leaue to doo lewdly, and haue no more care of seruing God, nor of standing in awe of him. But contrariwise wee say that Iesus Christ is giuen vnto vs, not one obteyne forgiuenesse of our sinnes at hand by his meanes: but also to the end that beeing regenerated by his holy spirit, we should