The Forty-Second Sermon, which is the fifth upon the sixth Chapter - Galatians 6:12-13

which is the fifth upon the sixth Chapter.

12 As many as desire with outward appearance to please in the flesh, constrain you to be circumcised, only to the end they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For even they themselves which are circumcised keep not the Law, but would have you circumcised that they might glory in your flesh.

It is not for naught that God hath so often warned the Preachers of his word, not to seek the well-liking and favour of men, but as it were to shut their eyes against all worldly respects, to the end that they gaze not here and there, nor be hindered to do their duty rightly. For we see it is impossible for us to discharge ourselves aright, unless we look up unto God, and turn away our look from men, because we shall be easily corrupted when we be so led, whereas nothing ought to bow us one way or another.

However, this constancy is chiefly requisite in such as should bear abroad God's word, namely that they be not led neither by ambition nor by covetousness to speak in favour of men, or to please them, and that they be not abashed at any threatening or peril. For experience shows that so soon as a man is afraid of his sin, or has respect of his own profit: he will be changed in the turning of a hand. True it is that such as covet men's favour after that fashion, will not at the first dash show themselves to be wicked and enemies of the truth according as our Lord Jesus Christ also puts a difference between the hirelings and the wolves.

After he has spoken of the good and faithful shepherds which seek the common welfare of the flock: he says, there are also ravening wolves or thieves which seek nothing else but to put all to spoil, ruin, and confusion. And these are they which fight openly against God, laboring and endeavoring to overthrow the pure doctrine of the Gospel. Nevertheless there are also which row between two streams, who do make a countenance to serve God. And truly some men build, however not for any zeal: for there is no soundness of heart in them.

Notwithstanding, so long as it is not to their cost, they set a good face upon the matter, so that the world is oftentimes deceived by them, and takes them to be the ministers of Jesus Christ: but yet their seeking is but for wages, they are wholly given to their bellies. For proof whereof, if you do but threaten them, by and by they are dismayed, and they will turn the cat in the pan, so that whereas yesterday they seemed to maintain God's word, today they bend crooked and across. And why? For they see it is the way to please the world, and to profit themselves.

And for the same cause does Saint Paul now warn the Galatians to mark well, that such as had troubled them and thrust them out of the right way, were men given to their own profit, and by that means had brought their doctrine in suspicion. Heretofore he has already sufficiently discussed and showed by reason, that if we put our whole trust in Jesus Christ, the Ceremonies of the Law are henceforth superfluous: for they served but for a time, to show that it is not for us, to mingle any merit of their own, or any fond opinion of purchasing righteousness before God, if we be well settled upon the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Paul then has handled and laid forth that matter as much as needed. And now to the end that the simple sort may be the more moved: he turns his tale to the persons themselves, saying: Consider what is the intent that these men against whom I strive here, make such a mingling of the Ceremonies of the law with our Lord Jesus Christ. Is it zeal that moves them thereunto? or is it for that they are desirous to serve God? No: it is rather for that they are loath to put themselves in danger of persecution.

Seeing then that fear causes them to misfashion God's word: you need not to make any long inquiry to know what manner of men they be, and whether they are to be credited or not: for you see that their changing and transforming of themselves after that fashion, is because they would fain shun the battle. Now then seeing that they be such traitors unto God through their cowardliness, deserve they to be believed, or to have any reverence yielded to their sayings? Thus you see Saint Paul's meaning.

But here all Ministers of God's word are taught to have such constancy and steadfastness, as they may not pass whether the doctrine that they bring be hated or beloved of the world, but go on still in their race, and not strike sail at every wind, nor be shaken like wavering reeds that bow to and fro: but always hold on in serving of God, what turnings and changes so ever happen, and what troubles and disorders so ever befall.

To be short, we must practice the thing that we have seen before: which is, that if we will please men's fancies, we must give over the service of the Son of God. Mark that for one point. And herewith all the faithful may receive a good and profitable lesson in this text: that is to wit, that they must look well upon such as seek their own profit and advantage, and are desirous to win favor with the world, and would fain be praised: for a man shall never have any hold of such folks.

They will not show themselves to be such at the first brunt (as I said before): for there are those who play the Pope-holy hypocrites, inasmuch that it seems that but for them the word of God would grow odious: and so long as it is well liked, they cast out fire at their mouths, and yet in the meantime you shall see them change their mind from day to day. If any peril happens, and they see that they must witness with our Lord Jesus Christ in good earnest: then show they their cowardliness, and in the end turn quite away, and change their coats as it is said in the Proverb. But however they fare, let us stand upon our guard continually, that we may believe such as walk uprightly, and start not out when they see the world confederate themselves against them, no though there happen such rage as it may oftentimes seem that they shall be swallowed up, but which even when they see the perils present, do nevertheless continue in upright constancy: let us mark such men as God's servants.

But as for such as be variable and counterfeiting, which say now one thing and now another to eschew men's hatred, or for fear of persecution: let us beware of them, that we be not deceived and beguiled by them, for they be deadly plagues. And it is certain that we shall never be firm and well settled, except we have that discretion and wariness with us, according as Saint Paul shows us in this text. And this is very needful nowadays.

For what causes so many hypocrites to gabble against God's word, and to play the shameless brothels in maintaining the outrageous abuses that are to be seen in the Papadom, as their superstitions, idolatries, and errors: but for that they know well enough, that if they make not the pot to boil apace, they are like to starve, and should they not therefore hold fast the possession of their things? Again on the other side they consider also the danger of persecution for maintaining such doctrine: for you see it is condemned of the Princes and great men of this world, and therefore it is good sleeping in a whole skin.

See I pray you how an infinite number do nowadays disguise and falsify God's truth, and maintain all corruptions, because they are loath to suffer for Jesus Christ's sake. True it is that they are not rank Papists to blaspheme God's word openly: but yet they would fain have a mean, yea of their own devising. For they blame us of overmuch rigour and extremity, in that we condemn such as go to Mass, and bear themselves in hand that they worship not idols.

O (say they), how should that be, so a man think it not in his heart? Should men be driven so near hand as to make it a stumbling block, and a matter of life and death? To what purpose were that? God sets great store by our life, and although we should do amiss, yet will he have pity of our frailty. Surely they that speak after this fashion, have none other reason to move them, but that they see plainly that all the world is so sore inflamed against us, and it seems that we should perish and be quite confounded every day.

Thus you see that they flee back and labor to embattle themselves alone from the rest, when they see any danger appearing. But when we see these liver-hearted folks shun persecution after that sort, and loth to come to any hand strokes for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and winding and transforming themselves after that manner, only to have peace in this world: it stands us so much the more in hand to mark this warning of Saint Paul's, and to discern which are the true servants of Jesus Christ: that is to wit, they which regard not their own profit, nor would have men to fawn upon them, nor seek the belly cheer and honor of the world: but do simply content themselves with the doing of their duty, and pass not what wind do blow, whether it be tempestuous and stormy, or whether it be fair and calm: but to profit their hearers, and to maintain in all pureness the doctrine committed unto them.

If we follow the thing that is showed us here, surely our faith shall never stagger as many do nowadays, which know not what to do, and yet notwithstanding will say, I fear the troubles and diversities of opinions, and the bickerings that are in this world. Some can well enough say, it were meet that I should give myself wholly to our Lord Jesus Christ: but there are another sort which take a much pleasanter way, and would have a reformation but only in half.

And which of these shall I believe [say they]? Open thine eyes: for all they that allege any such excuses, seek not to follow the truth, but are well apaid if they can get some shrouding sheet to hide their shame, and would fain be flattered: but in the meantime, what gain they by it? For Satan leads them to destruction, and they are willing to follow him. Because they are afraid of their lives, they love the covert, and because they are given to pleasure, they seek their own ease.

Therefore, they must have such payment as they deserve. But however the world goes, Saint Paul declares that such as willfully become brutish are so overtaken by Satan and cast in such perplexity, as they wot not what to do: because they consider not that such as do simply bear abroad the truth of the Gospel, are no wavering persons, but such as keep on in pace, and pass not whether the world likes of their doctrine or not: but forasmuch as God has commanded them to speak, they do so.

Contrariwise, as for the nicelings who say it is good to beware, and not to cast themselves out of the Saddle, and would have men to counterfeit, and to bear two faces in one hood: it is certain that such manner of men are not led with any zeal or affection to serve God, nor have any regard of edification or of the welfare of the Church: nor (to be short) have any other care or respect, than to eschew all persecution, and to live at their ease, so as no man might fasten upon them. Now then, seeing that this is manifest enough: it is certain that all such as nowadays keep themselves so in their nest, do offend God, and are utterly without excuse. Why so? For Saint Paul gives us here an infallible mark, which shows us who are the true servants of God, and who are the hirelings whom we must eschew, that is to wit, such as seek but to feed their bellies, and to have their commodities in this world.

Hereupon he adds, to the end they might not suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ. No doubt but that under the word Cross, Saint Paul comprehends the whole doctrine, howbeit with a consideration, that it is right hard for a man to preach simply and plainly the things that are contained in God's word, but that he shall have many encounters. For although God spare us (us I mean who preach his word) and will not always put us to so hard trial, that our enemies shall have their swords drawn upon us: yet the world does never receive the Gospel so obediently, but that there is still some murmuring and speaking against it, as is to be seen yet still at this day, and must be yet hereafter. For our Lord intends to try the constancy of his faithful ones, and therewithal to show the invincible power of his word, in overcoming all the lets that Satan stirs up against it: according to this saying of Jeremiah, "They shall fight against thee, but thou shalt get the upper hand of them." Thus you see that God is glorified when the world and Satan straining themselves to the uttermost, are not able to let the truth of his course.

For this cause Saint Paul says, that they who be so variable, and do disguise God's word or falsify it; do shun the Cross, that is to say, the true preaching of the Gospel, even to eschew persecution. Now here again we have a very profitable counsel. For if we desire to serve God and his Church: we must always be ready to receive alarms. And although the fire be not yet kindled, or the enemies not yet armed to make so cruel persecution as they would, or finally our Lord do bridle all those that are weary of his word, and would fain shake off his yoke: yet must we be scorned at many men's hands, we must be defamed, there must be murmuring and railing against us, and we must put it up and harden ourselves against it. Yea and we shall see a thousand backbitings against such as employ themselves faithfully, even where the Gospel is preached. Some shall be arraigned as felons, and some shall be indicted of this and that, and yet all shall be but stark slanders.

To be short, all such as mind to go through with their race, must prepare themselves to endure many temptations that might make them reel, if they were not settled in this point, that God must be obeyed in spite of the whole world. Mark that for one point. And here withal we have also to mark that this extends to the whole Church in general. Therefore when we hear the message of peace that is brought us in the name of God: let us not think to be in rest toward the worldward, but to have many troubles and encumbrances continually. And he that determines not upon that must needs shrink away from our Lord Jesus Christ: for he can never be any of his disciples, according as he himself declares with his own mouth, that such a man is not worthy to be of his school, and so he shuts them all out of the doors.

Wherefore let us learn that when we be once called to our Lord Jesus Christ, we must be partakers of his cross so long as he lists, according as it is said, that if we suffer with him we shall also be glorified with him, and be made partakers of the power that is showed in his Resurrection. But yet notwithstanding the sufferings which he endured must first be accomplished in us that are his members. True it is that he suffered as much as was requisite for our salvation: but yet must we be fashioned like to his Image, as it is said in the 8th to the Romans. Now whereas God spares us, so as we be not among Tyrants that might torment us: or if the wicked be not able to bite us, but only bark at us: or if he lets us be in peace: let us know that it is because he pities our feebleness, and that he spares us because he sees how weak we are. But yet for all this let us not flatter ourselves, but pray God to strengthen us so by his holy spirit, that whenever he shall call us into the array to fight, we may not be like freshwater soldiers, but that we may have minded it a long time beforehand, that we must be made partakers of Jesus Christ's sufferings, to come to the glory of his Resurrection.

Now Saint Paul, having spoken after that manner, adds for a larger confirmation of his matter, that they who are circumcised, and who preach circumcision, keep not the Law: but only seek to glory in the flesh of those whom they bring to that Jewish fashion. In this Text Saint Paul does again accuse his adversaries of double dealing and utter hypocrisy. Why so? Circumcision was the mark of the same thing before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereof Baptism is the mark unto us at this day. For the Jews had record [thereby] that they were sanctified by God as his heritage. But yet for all that, they that mingled Circumcision with the Gospel, were utterly of opinion that the Law of Moses was to be observed, forasmuch as it was given of God, & that it was not at any time to be abolished. Here then you see that the covert which they took, was that Circumcision served for a sign of the keeping of the whole Law. But now Saint Paul lays to their charge that they keep not the Law: and therefore they do but mock God & men in making a countenance by an outward sign, to do the thing which they do not: for it is clean contrary. Now then we see Saint Paul's meaning. And as touching this speech of keeping the Law, it is sometimes taken for the doing or performing of all that is contained in the Law. But no man can keep the Law, that is to say, no man can discharge himself thoroughly of all things that the law commands. For it is not for nought that it is called an intolerable burden. Also we see our own infirmity, and there God shows us an angelic righteousness. How then is it possible for us to attain unto it? So then, if we take the word Law for a perfect and faultless obedience, no man keeps it in effect. Nevertheless the faithful being guided and governed by God's spirit, do keep the Law, that is to say, they walk according to the rule that is given them there.

Not that they run so swiftly as they should do, nor that they attain to the mark at the first brunt: but yet they go on still towards it, and God beareth with them, and layeth not their faults to their charge. The faithful then do keep the Law. But here Saint Paul speaketh of the Ceremonial Law, howbeit that by occasion he had showed heretofore, that all God's commandments could bring nought else but condemnation, except we had refuge to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: but (as I said) here he speaketh of the ceremonies and shadows. Now let us see what he meaneth by it. They (saith he) which are circumcised keep not the Law: that is to say, they have indeed that sign as a standard to make men believe that they be Jews, to the intent that they might not be hated nor persecuted: but yet for all that, they keep not the whole Law: for they take leave to despise all that should be matched with Circumcision. For he that is circumcised ought also to do sacrifice, to abstain from the meats that are forbidden by the law, to keep the days and feasts appointed there, to use the enjoined washings and purifyings, and to do diverse other things. But these men make none account of them. When they are in corners and no man sees them, they pass not what they do, neither make they any conscience at all to despise all the Ceremonies of the Law. Thus it appeareth that they do it not for any zeal, but only in respect of men.

Now it behooveth us to mark that Saint Paul speaketh here of such as stood upon the said point, that men ought of necessity to be circumcised. For at some times Saint Paul had a special regard to fashion himself like to the Jews, and abstained from the liberty which was permitted him, for eschewing of offences: but did he always maintain that there was no bond of necessity in the matter. So then, when Saint Paul submitted himself of his own accord, he meant not to bring other men in bondage, according as he protests that he intends not to bind anybody. True it is that the case is altered when he speaks of marriage: but yet he says generally, that he will not lay any yoke of bondage upon the souls that are redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ: And thus you see how Saint Paul behaved himself in that behalf. Now he says here, "They that constrain you to be circumcised," that is to say, they that load you with the law, and say you must keep that Ceremony under pain of deadly sin: seek nothing else but to bring you in bondage without cause why. To be short, we see here whereof they be blamed which would subdue Christian folk to the keeping of the Ceremonies and shadows of Moses Law: that is to wit, that they were double fellows, and passed not upon the truth of the matter, whether God required such things or not, but had a mind to please and pleasure the world, and by that means to eschew persecution. And we nowadays have need to be warned thereof, as well as the Galatians needed then. And if we look upon the state and disposition of our time, we shall easily perceive that this doctrine is not needless, and that the Holy Ghost intended to provide for the thing which he knew to be for our behoof.

For what a number are to be found nowadays, which do strongly and stoutly maintain the Ceremonies of the Law, and yet notwithstanding make none account of them? But (which is worse) they maintain the follies and traditions that are invented by men, yea and even such abuses, errors, and deceits as are so gross and fond as may be. All these things shall be maintained with extreme rigour, by such as will needs have men to obey them. Like as nowadays, if a man charge these Hypocrites that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the brightness of his Gospel are darkened by the great number of their observations, and that we be become as good as Jews: (for in very deed the Papists have borrowed so many things of the Law, that a man shall hardly discern the difference between the Jews, & them that call themselves Christians:) I say if a man do charge them with these things: yet will they maintain to the uttermost, that men must do so still, because they have been kept time out of mind. If a man go further with them, and say, how so? You have so many dotages, that the very heathen men were never so gross and fond in their superstitions as you be: O tush (say they) yet must we keep still the traditions of our mother holy Church. And therewithal they cry, to the fire with him. But now what do these Hypocrites, which move the hearts of Princes and Judges against those that preach God's word faithfully? So long as they are among themselves, they make but a mock at their own traditions.

And when they dispute of them, they will say clean contrary to their preaching, and talking in the Pulpit. Whereby it appeareth that there is no zeal of God, nor no soundness in them: but that their whole seeking is to be fed and pampered fat, and to live in rest, and to have their ease and commodities.

Seeing then that nowadays there are so many men that have not one whit of the fear of God, nor of the reverence of his word in them, who notwithstanding pretend to be very zealous, and yet in very deed do but allure poor souls with baits or rather (as you would say) choke them: it standeth us so much the more on hand to mark well the thing that Saint Paul telleth us here: which is, that forasmuch as we see that they which cry out and storm at others: do nothing at all of that which they speak of, we must stand upon our guard, and consider whereat they aim who teach us.

True it is that although the party do clean contrary to that which he sayeth, yet must not God's word therefore be of the less authority towards us: For it is no reason that because the man is wicked, therefore God should be dispossessed of his sovereign prerogative. And though a man lead a loose life, or do some shrewd turn, yet ought not that to deface the heavenly doctrine, so he preach faithfully.

Although a man be mutable, fleeting and variable, or though he be an hypocrite, and his life be not answerable to the things that he speaketh with his mouth: the truth of God's word must not therefore be imbased towards us. Nevertheless, I say now that whenever we see men pretend great zeal, and yet let themselves loose, and take leave to do contrary to their preaching: we must consider of it, and have the discretion not to be led by their Pipe nor drawn by the nose, but to look into their doctrine, and to make a good and lively trial of it. And when we go so to work, we shall see that the doctrine of the Papists is but a covert which they take to live quiet toward the worldward, and as for to Godward they care not how things go.

For they would not abide any changes, but that they be loath to put themselves in danger of any displeasure: for they be always afraid to be vexed or grieved in any wise. Sith hence this: it is an infallible mark to make us beware of all Satan's ambushes, so as it shall not be possible for us to be deceived, except we list ourselves, as I have declared before.

Furthermore, Saint Paul addeth, that such men desire to glory in the flesh of the simple. It is very certain that here he hath an eye to the sign of Circumcision, as if he should say, they intend to print their mark upon you, to the end they may vaunt, We have won them. Yea, but their winning of men after that sort, is to make them so much the more detestable for so abusing the sign which God hath given them, to warrant the adoption which he had made with Abraham's offspring, and for corrupting the true and lawful use thereof.

For God had commanded the Jews to be circumcised. And why? To the end they might see that all mankind is accursed, and that there is nothing but uncleanness in us, and that we must be fain to renounce all that is of our own nature, or else we shall never cease to be filthy and damnable before God. Lo what the Jews ought to have learned by their circumcision.

Nevertheless, therewithal they had also a record, that by man's seed they should recover their salvation, according as we know that we be blessed of God for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. And therefore Circumcision served to humble the Jews, and to make them mislike of themselves, and to be ashamed, when they saw there was nothing but cursedness in their nature. That say I was the true and lawful use of circumcision.

Now what do they against whom Saint Paul speaketh? They know that Circumcision is no longer in use: that is to wit, that Baptism suffices ever since the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: but because the Jews called all them Apostates or backsliders, which were not circumcised: therefore these rascals will needs hold still the sign without the truth [or substance].

We see then that they were very falsaries, and wrested the doctrine clean contrary to God's meaning when he ordained that spiritual Sacrament, because their desire was nothing else but to please the world. As much is done at this day. And they that labor to overthrow God's truth, are much worse than Saint Paul's adversaries. For they had yet some cloak of honesty maintain Circumcision and the figures of the Law, because they were all ordained and established by God.

But as for these hypocrites which cry out upon us nowadays with full throat, [saying] you must keep the old custom without changing of anything: whereon are they grounded? They cannot say that God is Author of any of their stuff. Men have contrived them after their own fancy, or rather Satan hath blown them into their ears: so that (at a word) all that is termed God's service in Popery, is nothing else but a confused maze: all is but dreams of men's setting forth, and the devil is ever the chief Author of them. And yet these naughtipacks say that nothing must be taken from them. And whereunto have they respect?

Truly they will allege that men must purchase God's grace by them, and that they stir folk up to greater devotion. Again, they give the title of Sacrament to all the foolish devices of their own heads, saying: such a thing must be kept, for it is a Sacrament. But when all is justly reckoned, a man shall see that their intent is to please the world, and to maintain themselves still. For they are enforced spite of their teeth to confess, that it makes neither here nor there as in respect of God, and that he passes not for their kind of service, but utterly dislikes it, because he will be served with obedience.

But what? There will be horrible confusion (say they) if men cut off all after that fashion, and speak plainly of things. See I pray you, how they would fain disguise themselves, and in such wise corrupt and falsify religion, as there should be made a mingled confusion of all: or else that there should no more be taken away but the grossest and fondest things, and in the meantime such Ceremonies be let alone as may be any whit sufferable.

It is certain (say I) that all they which speak so, desire nothing else but to have fair wind and weather to the worldward. Seeing it is so: let us take warning at the holy Ghost's hand to flee such plagues: And although we cannot triumph in this world, although we be nothing set by, although men rail upon us with open mouth: yet let us not cease to hold our own for God's truth, and let it suffice us to be allowed of the heavenly judge, though all the world abhor us.

Although then that we see all these things: yet let us be patient, and tarry till our Lord Jesus Christ show himself to be our warrant, and therewithal give us victory in the behalf of his truth, so that all his enemies may be put to shame and have their mouths stopped up.

Now let us fall down before the majesty of our good God, with acknowledgement of our faults, praying him to touch us with such true repentance by his holy spirit, that being utterly cast down in ourselves, and quite and clean rid of all presumption, we may be heartily sorry for them: and that moreover it may please him so to increase the gifts of his holy spirit in us, as we may no more be given to our flesh, and the world to be hindered and held down by them, but that we may go forward to serve him, and endeavor that his name may be glorified more and more, and we bear such a mark of his adoption, as we may be so confirmed with it in ourselves, that other men may have occasion to glorify the name of this our good God for working so in us. That it may please him to grant this grace, not only to us, but also to all people and nations of the earth. &c.