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

And verily we see how it hath always bin the policy of Satan, too spoil Gods Church of good Shepherds and ministers, by after a sort starving of them. Satan's upholders shall always have enough to cram themselves withal: according as we see how that in the Papacy, these idle bellies which do nothing else but bark out their Masses and Matins, are crammed too the full. Though all the world should hunger and thirst for it, those kind of people shall never feel penury: yea and they shall have good store of provision though all the world starve in the mean while. But clean contrariwise, when such as serve God shall have showed the singular zeal and care which they have for the health of mens souls: men let them alone, and think them greatly bound unto them that they give them the hearing. Well (say they) we have heard him […] him well, he hath done his duty. And how many are there nowadays that […] contribution when they come too here a Sermon? They could find in their hearts that God should ⟨image 321⟩never be spoken of, because it is a melancholic matter too them. Whereby we see, that the Devil hath by that means given a push, too rid away all teaching, and too bring to pass that there might be none but Idols, nor any man care how he behaved himself. Then was it not without cause that Saint Paul was desirous to remedy such inconvenience, saying, that he which teacheth ought at leastwise to be nourished and maintained, and that he which receiveth the doctrine of salvation, is bound at leastwise to give of his goods and substance, to him that hath ministered spiritual food unto him. And Saint Paul speaketh here expressly of Gods word. For whereas humane sciences have always bin so highly esteemed, that such as have professed them, have bin maintained: the word of God, which surmounteth all other things, is as it were cast down. Therefore Saint Paul blameth mens naughtiness, saying: See what a worthy thing it is to have Gods word brought unto you: See what fruit redoundeth unto you by it. For we be all miserable and cursed, saving that God calleth us to him by means of his word: for that is the power which he spreadeth over us to gather us into his kingdom. Sith it is so then:

And verely we see howe it hath alwayes bin the pollicie of Satan, too spoyle Gods Church of good Sheepherdes and ministers, by after a sort staruing of them. Satans vpholders shall alwayes haue ynough to cramme themselues withall: according as wee see howe that in the Papacie, these ydle bellyes which do nothing else but barke oute theyr Masses and Mattins, are crammed too the full. Though all the worlde shoulde hunger and thirst for it, those kinde of people shall neuer feele penurie: yea and they shall haue good store of prouision though all the worlde starue in the meane while. But cleane contrarywise, when such as serue God shall haue shewed the singular zeale and care which they haue for the health of mens soules: men let them alone, and thinke them greatly bound vnto them that they giue thē the heering. VVell (say they) we haue heard him him well, he hath done his dutie. And how many are there nowadayes that contribution when they come too heere a Sermon? They could find in their hearts that God shoulde