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

What causeth you then to fall asleep in your so fond excuses? it is because ye consider not that we must all of us appear at Gods judgement seat, and that it is he which searcheth mens thoughts, and from whom nothing is hidden. But you take him too be but an Idol: you would bear him in hand that he ought to be contented with your fools babbles: and when ye have beguiled men & laughed them to scorn, ye think that God is of the same stamp, and use yet greater boldness towards him. Therefore it is certain that all such as flatter themselves and seek starting holes, are Infidels, and the thing it self showeth them to be plain mockers of God. Now although this saying be short: yet ought it to make us quake, forasmuch as we here so great a thunder, or see such a lightning coming upon us from above. And I pray you, is it a fault too be pardoned, when men that are but stark rottenness, do so vaunt themselves against God, yea even to mock at him? Surely we know it is the greatest reproach and spite that can be done unto a man, too laugh him to scorn after that fashion. If it be intolerable among us that are nothing: will God suffer himself to be mocked? Saint Paul therefore hath well given us occasion here to look nearly to our selves, and to walk plainly, and not too use our scoffing tricks, as though we thought to mend our market by it, forasmuch as God is provoked by it, as though we defied him, or as though we intended too dispossess him of his right, and to make him believe that a man might pluck him by the nose, and do all manner of villainy to him and he not perceive it. Were this saying well marked, we would walk in another manner of awe than we do: but we see how men become Heathenish, yea even wilfully, and wax so hardhearted, that they regard neither shame nor honesty when good or evil cometh in question, but ye shall see them corrupt and pervert all doctrine with full mouth, and cast out blasphemies against God. Ye shall see then now adays that all Tables, all houses, and all streets are full of mockers of God. And whereof cometh that? It is true that there are many Hypocrites and self soothers:

VVhat causeth you then to fall asleepe in your so fond excuces? it is bycause yee consider not that wee muste all of vs appeere at Gods iudgement seate, and that it is he whiche searcheth mens thoughts, and from whom nothing is hidden. But you take him too bee but an Idoll: you would beare him in hand that he ought to be contented with your fooles bables: and whē ye haue beguiled men & laughed them to skorne, yee thinke that God is of the same stampe, and vse yet greater boldnesse towardes him. Therefore it is certaine that all such as flatter themselues and seeke startingholes, are Infidelles, and the thing it selfe sheweth them to be playne mockers of God. Now although this saying be short: yet ought it to make vs quake, for asmuch as we heere so great a thunder, or see such a lightning cōming vpon vs from aboue. And I pray you, is it a fault too bee pardoned, when men that are but starke rottennesse, do so vaunt themselues agaynst God, yea euen to mocke at him? Surely wee knowe it is the greatest reproche and spite that can bee done vnto a man, too laugh him to skorne after that fashion. If it be intollerable among vs that are nothing: will God suffer himselfe to bee mocked? Sainct Paule therefore hath well giuen vs occasion heere to looke neerely to our selues, and to walke playnely, and not too vse our skoffing trickes, as though we thought to mende our market by it, for asmuch as God is prouoked by it, as though wee defied him, or as though we intended too dispossesse him of his right, and to make him beleeue that a man might plucke him by the noze, and doo all maner of villanie to him and he not perceyue it. VVere this saying well marked, wee would walke in another maner of awe than we do: but we see how men become Heathenish, yea euen wilfully, and wex so hardharted, that they regarde nother shame nor honestie when good or euill cō meth in question, but yee shall see them corrupt and peruert all doctrine with full mouth, and cast out blasphemies agayst God. Yee shall see then now adayes that all Tables, all houses, and all streetes are full of mockers of God. And whereof commeth that? It is true that there are many Hypocrites and selfe soothers: