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

Therefore it is good reason he should win so much at our hands as too be heard of us, and that we should frame our selves too him: for what shall it advantage us too have alleged a hundred thousand times that we have done as other men did? It is all one as if we should say, Tush sirra, we pass not so much for GOD as for men, we have preferred the world, which led us too unthriftiness, and withdrawn our selves from all goodness. Is this a reasonable excuse? No: Is it not all one as if we should spit in his face, and bid him back and get him hence, that men may have full sway among us, for we must do as they do and frame our selves too the bent of their bow? Thus ye see in few words too what use we ought now adays too put this doctrine of Saint Pauls. And for the same cause also he addeth, that every man shall bear his own burden. As if he had said, every man shall be cumbered enough for himself, without helping […] this sentence may be applied too many uses, yea even without turning of the words from Saint Pauls own meaning. For ⟨p. 296⟩if this reason that every man shall bear his own burden before GOD, be alleged as a general matter: then useth he the word Burden, too cut off all excuses, too the end that men should think that all their shifts and starting holes cannot avail them: and that is well worthy too be marked. For we see what malapertness is in us: we would be ashamed to stand in contention with creatures as we do with our GOD, and for proof thereof, if God press us, we will never leave our replying and murmuring, till we be more than convicted. Ye see then that Saint Pauls setting down of this word Burden, is as if he should say that we cannot accuse GOD, nor win any thing by standing in contention with him. For why? Whence cometh the condemnation that presseth us? Is it of that God stretcheth out his arm too make us feel his power in overwhelming us? No, but every man shall bear his own burden.

Therfore it is good reason he shoulde win so muche at our handes as too bee herde of vs, and that wee should frame our selues too hym: for what shall it aduauntage vs too haue alledged a hundred thousande tymes that wee haue doone as other men did? It is all one as if wee shoulde saye, Tushe sirra, wee passe not so muche for GOD as for menne, wee haue preferred the worlde, whyche ledde vs too vnthriftinesse, and withdrawen our selues from all goodnesse. Is thys a reasonable excuce? No: Is it not all one as if wee shoulde spit in hys face, and bid hym backe and get him hence, that men maye haue full swaye among vs, for wee must doo as they doo and frame our selues too the bent of theyr bowe? Thus yee see in fewe woordes too what vse wee ought now adayes too put thys doctrine of Sainct Paules. And for the same cause also he addeth, that euery man shall beare his owne burthen. As if he had sayde, euery man shall bee combered ynoughe for hymselfe, wythout helping this sentence may bee applyed too many vses, yea euen wythoute turning of the woordes from Sainct Paules owne meaning. For