A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

27 Whosoever you be that are baptised.) By how much as it is a thing greater and higher, that we are the sons of God, so much the further off is it from our understanding, and the hardlyer persuaded. And therefore the more briefly doth he admonish us how we be joined, or rather what unity we have with the son of God, lest we should doubt, to make that which he hath proper (unto him) common unto us. He useth the similitude of apparel, when he saith the Galatians have put on Christ, but he meaneth that they are so grafted in Christ, that in the fight of God they bear the name and person of Christ, and are deemed and taken rather in him than in themselves. This Metaphor or similitude taken of Apparel is usual,¹ & I have spoken of it else where. But it seemeth a weak reason, That they have put on Christ because they are baptized. for how far of is it but that Baptism is uneffectuous in all? This also should be an absurdity, for that so the grace of the holy ghost should be tied to the outward sign. Therefore this saying may by seeming be reproved as well by the perpetual doctrine of the Scriptures, as by experience. I answer, Paul is accustomed to speak two manner of ways of the Sacraments. Answer. Whilst he hath to do with hypocrites, who boast of the bare signs: than he preacheth how vain a thing and how little worth the bare sign is; and he inveigheth stoutly against the preposterous confidence (therein)▪ why so? because he respecteth not the institution of God, but the corrupt errors of the ungodly. But when he speaketh to the faithful who rightly use the signs, than doth he join them with the thing in deed which they bear the figure of. Why so? for he setteth not out a deceitful show or pomp in the Sacraments, but doth exhibit also indeed those things which the outward ceremony doth figure. Hereof it cometh to pass that the thing it self is joined ⟨p. 83⟩with the signs according to the institution of God. If any hereupon do enquire, May it be than by mens fault, that the Sacrament is not that which it figureth? The answer is easy: Nothing is taken away by means of the ungodly from the Sacraments, but that they retain their nature and strength: although they (I mean the ungodly) feel no effect.

27 Whosoeuer you be that are baptised.) By howe muche as it is a thing greater and higher, that we are the sonnes of God, so much the further off is it from our vnderstanding, and the hardlyer perswaded. And therefore the more briefly doth he admonish vs how we be ioyned, or rather what vnitie wee haue with the son of God, lest we should doubt, to make that whiche hee hath proper (vnto him) common vnto vs. Hee vseth the similitude of apparell, when he sayth the Galathians haue put on Christ, but he meaneth that they are so grafted in Christe, that in the fighte of God they beare the name and person of Christe, and are deemed and taken rather in him than in themselues. This Metaphor or similitude taken of Apparaile is vsuall,