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

we must understand also that he will be served faithfully, and that men must not occupy them selves about small trifles which are but as children's babbles: but that he will have us to use faithfulness, love, peace, and concord one with another, so as there be no deceit, no malice, nor no raven among us. Then if we know that the life which God alloweth, and whereby we be joined unto him, is a spiritual life: Let us forthwith (saith he) walk in the spirit, that is too say, let us assure our selves that God alloweth not any thing but that which is agreeable to his Law (which for the same cause is called spiritual by Saint Paul in the seventh to the Romans) and let the proof of the same doctrine show it self in our conversation. So now whereas other folks run on pilgrimage: let us occupy our selves in the serving of God, and our neighbours. Whereas these wretched hypocrites wast all their substance in Idolatry: let us consider that the true sacrifices & holy offerings which […] are that we should be dedicated unto him both in body & sou•••, […] fondly that we should so dispose the goods that he hath given us & put into our hands as we might show by ⟨image 303⟩so the same may serve to the glorifying of Gods majesty, and [too the enlarging of] the dominion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let all look at him, let all stick too him, and let all know that it is he from whom all goodness proceedeth. Lo whereunto S. Paul meant too bring us. Now to the intent too make us the more too abhor all vainglory and pride against God, and the said desire of having credit among men: he sayeth that we must not seek too byte one another, neither must we malice one another. It is as much as if he had said that ambition or vaingloriousness cannot reign in us, but incontinently there will be heartburning, and every man will provoke his neighbour. For if we be given after that fashion to vainglory, every of us will covet too be greatest, and it will seem to himself that he hath not his right, till he see his neighbour brought in contempt. Thus ye see what pride bringeth. It tendeth not only too the advancing of a mans self against God: but also too the defacing of such as we ought to honour, at leastwise if they be our inferiors. For when we have looked well to all, it is certain that even the least sort ought to be honourable in our eyes.

wee must vnderstande also that he will be serued faythfully, and that men must not occupie them selues about small trifles which are but as childrens bables: but that he will haue vs to vse faythfulnesse, loue, peace, and concorde one with another, so as there bee no deceipt, no malice, nor no rauin among vs. Then if we knowe that the lyfe which God alloweth, and whereby wee bee ioyned vnto him, is a spirituall life: Let vs foorthwith (sayth he) walke in the spirite, that is too say, let vs assure our selues that God alloweth not any thing but that which is agreable to his Lawe (which for the same cause is called spirituall by Sainct Paule in the seuenth to the Romanes) and let the proofe of the same doctrine shewe it selfe in our conuersation. So nowe whereas other folkes runne on pilgrimage: let vs occupie our selues in the seruing of God, and our neibours. VVhereas these wretched hypocrites wast al their substance in Idolatrie: let vs consider that the true sacrifices & holy offerings which are that we should bee dedicated vnto him both in body & sou, ondly that we shuld so dispose the goods that he hath giuē vs & put into our hāds as we might shew by