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

So then, if the souls which our Lord Jesus Christ hath bought so dearly be precious unto us, or if we set so much by Gods honour as it deserveth: it is certain that we will not so bear with mens faults, but that we will endeavour too amend them. Mark that for one point. But there is also a contrary vice: namely over great rigorousness. For this is a property of the Hypocrites, that if they spy a mote in their neighbours eye, they cry out alarm upon him,¹ and they must needs follow him with hew & cry, whereas in the mean while a great beam in their […] as our Lord Jesus speaketh of them. For […] therefore as there are many that widen their consciences to swallow up a whole Ox [in ⟨p. 285⟩their own cases,] and in the mean season can strain at a gnat when it toucheth other men: therefore we must beware that we be not to rough and sharp in rebuking of our brother. Besides this, there are also that have an unadvised zeal, so as they be too sour and bitter, and they are of opinion that they discharge not themselves, except they proclaim mens faults aloud, as it were by the sound of a trumpet. And how many warnings are made nowadays with an upright carefulness? If a man see any of his neighbours fall to naughtiness, he ought (if he can have access and entrance to him) too tell him his fault: but we will none of that. For (as I said) every man underpryeth other, and lies in wait for him like a spy, too see if he can find any thing amiss in him, and then useth he sternness to the uttermost. True it is that such as are handled overroughly after that fashion, cannot complain of it. For whereof cometh the naughtiness that is too ri•e nowadays among men, that no man is warned secretly to the end he might be brought back unto God, but that the vices which were done in covert are blazed abroad, yea even to the diffaming of the party? It is for that every of us shutteth the gate, because our ears are too itching, and we cannot abide too be told the truth, but will needs keep the possession of all naughtiness, as though God were deposed from his authority, and had no prerogative of judgement over us. Forasmuch then as every man would exempt himself from correction: therefore all are worthy to be handled hardly after that fashion, and too be dealt with like enemies, and not like brethren.

So then, if the soules whiche our Lorde Iesus Christ hath bought so deerly bee precious vntoo vs, or if wee set so much by Gods honour as it deserueth: it is certayne that wee will not so beare with mens faultes, but that we will indeuer too amend them. Marke that for one poynt. But there is also a contrarie vyce: namely ouer greate rigorousnesse. For this is a propertie of the Hypocrites, that if they spie a mote in their neighbours eye, they crie out alarum vppon him,