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

for he doth not do away the former birth, but he saith, they must be nourished again in the womb, as untimely and unshapen children. Finally Christ to be shaped in us, and we to be shaped in Christ, is all one. for we are borne that we may be new creatures in him and he in like manner is borne in us, that we may live the life of him. Because therefore that the true image of Christ was deformed or misshapen by superstitions brought in of the false apostles, Paul laboureth about the garnishing thereof, that it may shine purely without impediments. This do also the ministers of the Gospel, while they feed with milk, while they feed with strong meat: to be short, they ought to be occupied thereabout throughout the whole course of ⟨p. 102⟩their preaching, but Paul here compareth himself to one in travail: because the Galatians were not as yet perfectly borne. And this is a notable place concerning the efficacy of the ministry. It is proper indeed unto God spiritually to beget and to bring forth: but because he useth the minister and preaching as instruments thereunto: he ascribeth unto them, that which is his: because that with the endeavour of man, he joineth the force of his spirit. We must always hold fast that distinction, that when the minister is opposed or set against God, he is nothing, and he can do nothing, but is an unprofitable instrument. but because the holy Ghost worketh effectually by him, the praise and title of the deed is also passed over unto him. But truly than is not declared of what force the Minister is by himself, and apart from God: but what God doth work by him. Therefore if Ministers mean to be any thing, let them study to shape Christ and not themselves. Here as though he were dead with sorrow, he faileth in the middest of his talk.

for he doth not doe awaye the former byrth, but hee sayth, they must be nourished againe in the wombe, as vntimelye and vnshapen children. Finallye Christ to be shaped in vs, and wee to be shaped in Christ, is all one. for we are borne that we maye be new creatures in him and he in like maner is borne in vs, that wee maye liue the life of him. Because therefore that the true image of Christe was deformed or mishapen by superstitions brought in of the false apostles, Paul laboreth about the garnishing thereof, that it maye shine purely without impediments. This do also the ministers of ye Gospell, while they feede with milke, while they feede with strong meat: to be short, they ought to be occupied thereabout throughout the whole course of