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

Therewithal let us learn also to pray God to govern us when the case requireth that we should correct our neighbours, assuring our self that of our own nature we shall never be able too do it. We know that to serve God, and to employ our selves faithful in that behalf, we must first receive of him the things that we want. Now then, let a man strain himself as far as he list▪ and he shall not find himself able to bring one drop of goodness of his own. But when we come too correcting, there we repre•• […] God: and if I mind to tell a man his fault, I come not to him in […] private name as his superior: but in the name of God.

Therewithall let vs learne also to pray God to gouerne vs when the cace requireth that we shoulde correct our neighbours, assuring our selfe that of our owne nature wee shall neuer be able too doo it. VVee knowe that to serue God, and to imploy our selues faythfull in that behalfe, wee must first receyue of him the things that wee want. Nowe then, let a man streyne himselfe as farre as hee list▪ and hee shall not finde himselfe able to bring one droppe of goodnesse of his owne. But when wee come too correcting, there wee repre•• 〈…〉 God: and if I mynde to tell a man his fault, I come not to him in 〈…〉 priuate name as his superiour: but in the name of God.

Now then, seeing it is so that we execute Gods office in rebuking such as have done amiss: how shall we be fit for that purpose, except he guide and direct us thereunto? Therefore let us learn to desire him to guide and rule us by his holy spirit, when any admonition is to be made, to bring such back again as are gone out of the right way. And herewithall we must mark also (as I have said afore) that Saint Paul speaketh not here of such as are sopped in wickedness, in contempt of God and in rebelliousness, but of such as are overtaken, so as they have some good will to do well, and yet notwithstanding do fall through infirmity. Therefore this matter must be handled very skilfully and discreetly. For if we will deal alike with all men, it is certain that we shall oftentimes do wrong too such as have need too be borne withal, and in the mean while do nothing but inflame the despisers of God, and make them more malapart than they were before. Then (as I said) we must put a difference between the one and the other. For when the Prophet Ezekiel speaketh of the good shepherd: