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

The. 39. Sermon, which is the second upon the sixth Chapter.

The. 39. Sermon, which is the seconde vpon the sixth Chapter.

2 Bear ye one another's burden, and so fulfil the Law […] 3 For if any man esteem himself to be somewhat, whereas in deed he is nothing: he deceiveth himself. ⟨image 312⟩4 But let every man try his own work, and then shall he have glory in himself only, & not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

2 Beare ye one anothers burthen, and so fulfill the Law 〈…〉 3 For if any mā esteeme himself to be somwhat, wheras in deede he is nothing: he deceiueth himselfe. ⟨image 312⟩4 But let euery man try his ovvne vvork, and then shal he haue glory in himself only, & not in another. 5 For euery man shall beare his ovvne burthen.

WE have seen this morning, that we must bear with mens infirmities where we see there is any fear of God, or any good seed, and that they be not utterly wilful in wickedness. And so ye see in what cases we ought to be pitiful. But when we see men so proud, that they despise God with stubborn outrage: it is not for us too use any mildness or gentleness in that case, but for as much as they be seen too prance so in their braveries, that loftiness of theirs must be plucked down, when they exalt them selves after that fashion against God. Also I told you therewithal, that too keep a good mean in rebuking such as have done amiss, every man had need too bethink himself: for we must first of all condemn our selves: that is the point which we must begin at. And when we see what we our selves are, and that we have great store of vices in us worthy too be rebuked: then have we there on the other side wherewith too humble our selves, and too restrain us from using too great or excessive rigour towards such as have need too be succoured, and too be borne withal. Saint Paul therefore continueth still the same matter, saying, that he which weeneth him self too be any thing, is nothing, but deceiveth him self: For every man shuts his eyes when he should think upon his own sins. Of a truth there can not be so much as one drop of virtue in us, but by and by we magnify it: but if our vices be apparent to the whole world, in so much that even little children can laugh us to scorn: yet can not we our selves see them. Now S. Paul intending too correct this vice, saith that men are loth too be deceived, and yet nevertheless every man beguiles him self willingly and wittingly, even through his own overw […] by this means he bringeth us too the very wellspring (as I said this morning) which is that if men were not vainglorious and