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

his appointing from the mothers womb: and calling which is the effect and fulfilling of both. The Lord speaketh somewhat otherwise, Jeremiah the first chap. the fifth ver. that the words of Paul do sound: and yet in the same sense or meaning. Before that I did shape thee in thy mothers womb, I did know thee: before thou camest out of thy mothers womb I sanctified thee: I gave thee to be a Prophet to the Nations or Gentiles. God also sanctified Paul not yet borne, to the office of an Apostle as he did Jeremiah to the office of a Prophet, but he again is said to separate us from our mothers womb, because that to this end we are brought forth into the world, that he might fulfil in us that which he hath determined. And our calling is deferred even until it be a fit time to execute, when ⟨p. 18⟩as God hath made us meet to fulfil that office which he enjoineth us. Thus therefore may you resolve Pauls words, When it pleased God to reveal his son by me, which called me, as before he did separate me. For he would declare his calling to depend upon the secret election of God: neither that he was therefore appointed an Apostle, because he had prepared himself by his own industry to take upon him so great an office: or else because God had found him meet, as to whom he might commit this business: but because he was appointed thereunto by the hidden counsel of God, & that before he was borne: For so he is accustomed to ascribe the cause of his calling, to the free pleasure of God: which is diligently to be marked. For thereby we are taught, that it is to be referred to the grace of God, not only that we are elected and adopted unto eternal life: but also that he vouchsafeth to use our help, whereas otherwise we are utterly unprofitable: and that he assigneth us a lawful calling, in which we may exercise our selves. For what had Paul being not yet borne that was worthy of so great honour? Thus then must we make our count, that this is altogether the gift of God, and not gotten by our power, that we are called to govern his Church. Finally in that some do more subtly dispute in the word, Separated, they do it without cause, and out of season. Neither is God said to separate us, because he doth put into us some habit or form, whereby we may differ from other: but because he doth order us by his counsel.

his appoynting from the mothers wombe: and calling which is the effecte and fulfilling of both. The Lord speaketh somewhat otherwise, Ieremy the first chap. the fift ver. that the wordes of Paule doe sounde: and yet in the same sence or meaning. Before yt I did shape thee in thy mothers wombe, I did know thee: before thou camest oute of thy mothers wombe I sanctified thee: I gaue thee to be a Prophet to the Nations or Gentils. God also sanctified Paule not yet borne, to the office of an Apostle as he did Ieremie to ye office of a Prophet, but he again is said to separat vs frō our mothers wombe, because yt to this end we are brought forth into ye world, that he might fulfil in vs yt which he hath determined. And our calling is deferred euen vntill it be a fitte time to execute, when