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

I Have declared heretofore that there is not a more deadly plague than Ambition, when every man is given too himself and will needs exalt himself to the contempt of his neighbours: for then is neither indifferency nor measure kept. Here is now another vice very near of kin to the other: namely when we snatch at such as have done amiss, to the intent to advance our selves in comparison of them, which we see to be common a vice in the world. For to our seeming, other mens virtues are a hinderance to us, that we cannot be in such reputation as we same would. This is the cause that every of us prieth and peereth at his fellow, to the intent to disgrace him in such wise as he alone may not bear away the bell, and by that means have chief praise and commendation. And although that that be not: yet will it often come to pass, that we shall be over rigorous under pretence of zeal. For this cause Saint Paul doth here exhort the faithful, too do their endeavour too reform a man with all gentleness, when he hath done amiss. And he doth purposely […] state before us here. For it ought too move us to compassion, […] consider the common frailty that is in us all, as he will touch the same point more at large hereafter. Nevertheless ⟨image 305⟩his putting of us in mind of our infirmity by nature, is too the end that none of us should climb to high. And furthermore he addeth the word overtaken, meaning thereby that it always deserveth gentleness at our hands when we see a man surprised by the wiliness of Satan. For S. Paul spake not here of such as have rooted malice in their hart, which are utter despisers of God, which are altogether heathenish, & which are so full of poison throughout, that they cannot allege for themselves that they fall by oversight▪ for why, they be mad beasts, rushing wilfully against God, according as we shall see many that manifestly despise all order, and would have all the world put too confusion. Such manner of men are not comprised in the number of those whom Saint Paul speaketh of here. But although a man fear God and be willing to give himself to his seruis: yet notwithstanding Satan hath his snares ready laid, and catcheth us oftentimes ere we think of it. And so you see how we be overtaken or surprised. Now S.

I Haue declared heretofore that there is not a more deadly plague than Ambition, whē euery man is giuen too himself and will needes exalt himself to the contempt of his neyghbors: for then is nother indifferencie nor measure kept. Here is now another vyce very neere of kinne to the other: namely when wee snatch at such as haue done amisse, to the intent to aduaunce our selues in comparison of them, which we see to be cōmon a vyce in the world. For to our seeming, other mens vertues are a hinderance to vs, that wee cannot bee in such reputation as we sayne would. This is the cause that euery of vs prieth and peereth at his fellow, to the intent to disgrace him in such wise as he alone may not beare away the bell, and by that meanes haue chiefe prayse and cōmendacion. And although that that be not: yet will it often come to passe, that wee shall be ouer rigorous vnder pretence of zele. For this cause Saint Paule doth heere exhort the faythfull, too do their indeuer too reforme a man with all gentlenesse, when he hath done amisse. And he dooth purposely state before vs heere. For it ought too moue vs to compassion, onsider the common frayltie that is in vs all, as he will touch the same point more at large hereafter. Neuerthelesse