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

Therefore he then gnasheth his teeth at God, and he stormeth and tormenteth himself, much more than if he had not taken so much pains to gather. Thus ye see that such as have sowed in the flesh, perceive [at length] that they have sowed to corruption, because they gather nothing else but corruption: but it is all to late, and therefore let us bethink ourselves. And although we […] men beguile thems•••s, and too make their reckoning that it is a happy life to have all thing that they wish, as commonly every man is ruled by his own liking: although we see men ⟨image 327⟩storm after that fashion: let us learn to do otherwise & consider that God calleth us to an everlasting life, which he setteth continually before us by his Gospel. Let us set our whole minds upon that, and let all our intents & desires tend thitherward, & let us endeavour to profit more & more in the doctrine of salvation, that he may lift us up and draw us hence from beneath,¹ according also as S. Paul saith when he telleth us what the weapons of Christen folk are, making the doctrine of the Gospel to be our shoes. For it standeth us on hand to be armed from top too toe, or else we should soon be wounded with the assaults that are given unto us in this world. After he hath declared this (say I) he saith that the Gospel must lift us up, and draw us from the corruptions wherein we be plunged, so as we may attain too the kingdom of God whereunto he calleth us. Ye see then what we have to bear in mind. Now as touching that S. Paul saith, that they which have sowed in the spirit shall reap everlasting life: he meaneth not that we in so doing deserve so worthy and excellent a thing as the kingdom of heaven is: but he showeth that the faithful having known their own calling, shall never find themselves deceived, though they seem wretched too the worldward. We know that God adopteth us of his own free goodness: that is the groundwork of our salvation. He forgiveth us our sins: and that is our righteousness. For if he should consider us in our own nature, he could not but cast us away as loathsome and accursed: So can we find no grace at his hand, except he admit us of his own free goodness. And we know also that our works are evermore unperfect and blemished with some vice, so as they cannot be accepted of God.

Therefore he then gnasheth his teeth at God, and he stormeth and tormenteth himselfe, much more than if he had not takē so much peynes to gather. Thus ye see that such as haue sowed in the flesh, perceiue [at length] that they haue sowed to corruption, bicause they gather nothing else but corruption: but it is all to late, and therfore let vs bethink ourselues. And although we men beguile themss, and too make their reckening that it is a happie life to haue all thing that they wishe, as commonly euerie man is ruled by his owne lyking: although wee see men