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

except we be first rid of this fond desire to be had in estimation, and to be as it were advanced above others. No doubt but men can talk well enough of humility: but there are very few that understand what the word meaneth and importeth. Nevertheless S. Paul showeth us here, which is the true humility: that is too wit, that men should utterly abase them selves, and consider that they be nothing worth, for then shall they be rightly humbled. When humility or lowliness is talked of in common speech: it is taken to be but a device. For every man can well enough say by his honesty, that he is nothing: but in the mean while they cease not to swell like Toads with the poison of pride. But S. Paul teacheth us here a far other lesson: which is, that we must put away all opinion of our own wisdom, and of all the virtues that we can imagine our selves too have. For it is said here in one word, that we must think our selves to be nothing. And in very deed, the saying that is set down here must be laid forth thus: Seeing that men are nothing at all: they that presume upon their own virtues, and glory of them, beguile them selves willingly. Therefore let us take this part, namely that we be nothing. It is true that God hath left still some marks in us, whereby it may be perceived that he hath exalted us in worthiness and excellency above the brute beasts, in as much as it was his will to create us after his own image. Then if we have respect too the thing that God did put into us, the same ought too be esteemed still▪ but yet for all that, in respect of our own persons we be nothing. For we be wholly bound unto him […] that we have received, have we received it for our own •••thinesse sake? Is it given men too make them own estimation and praise of it▪ No, but rather too ⟨image 313⟩increase our shame, because that all the understanding, judgement, and discretion that is in us, is corrupted and marred by our own naughtiness. Too be short, we be like a stinking and rotten vessel, and Gods gifts are as good wine that is put into the vessel: and so by that means all is marred. Even so is it with us. We be vessels. And what manner of vessels? Vessels infected with the corruption of sin. God putteth of his gifts into us, too the end he might be glorified by it.

except we be first rid of this fonde desire to be had in estimation, and to bee as it were aduaunced aboue others. No doubt but men can talke well inough of humilitie: but there are very fewe that vnderstande what the worde meaneth and importeth. Neuerthelesse S. Paule sheweth vs heere, which is the true humilitie: that is too wit, that men should vtterly abace them selues, and consider that they bee nothing woorth, for then shall they bee rightly humbled. VVhen humilitie or lowlynesse is talked of in common speeche: it is taken to bee but a deuice. For euery man can well inough say by his honestie, that he is nothing: but in the meane whyle they ceasse not to swell lyke Toades with the poyson of pride. But S. Paule teacheth vs heere a farre other lesson: which is, that wee muste put away all opinion of our owne wisedome, and of all the vertues that wee can imagine our selues too haue. For it is sayde heere in one word, that wee must thinke our selues to be nothing. And in very deede, the saying that is set downe heere muste bee layde foorth thus: Seeing that men are nothing at all: they that presume vpon their owne vertues, and glory of them, beguile them selues willingly. Therefore let vs take this parte, namely that wee bee nothing. It is true that God hath lefte still some markes in vs, whereby it may bee perceyued that hee hath exalted vs in worthinesse and excellencie aboue the brute beastes, in as muche as it was his wyll to create vs after his owne image. Then if wee haue respecte too the thing that God dyd put into vs, the same oughte too bee esteemed still but yet for all that, in respecte of oure owne persons wee bee nothing. For wee bee wholly bounde vnto him that wee haue receyued, haue wee receyued it for our owne thinesse sake? Is it giuen men too make them owne estimation and prayse of it No, but rather too