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

Thus ye see in effect what we have too bear in mind, and how it behoveth us too practise this lesson, wherein the household folk of faith are chiefly commended unto us. And so, seeing that God hath vouchsafed too call us too him, let us show our selves too set more by that grace and honour, than by all the goods in the world. And in proof thereof, let us show also that we have a brotherly affection too do good too such as have need of us, according to such opportunity as God shall give us, and according too the measure of our ability. Now hereupon Saint Paul sayeth, that the Galatians ought too consider, that he hath written them a large letter with his own hand. And this serves too make them the more attentive, when they see what care he hath of their salvation. For his commending of the largeness of his letter, was not too be payed for it by the pound (as they say) but too the end that the Galatians might know, that he meant too open his hart unto them, and that forasmuch as he saw them thrust out of the way into a wrong trade, and was loth that they should perish, therefore he had not only warned them in a word or twain, but also confirmed his doctrine, so as they might perceive themselves to have bin misled before. Lo in effect whereat Saint Paul aimed. And by this text we ought all to take warning, to confirm our selves the more, according too the means and helps which our Lord giveth us to come to him withal. If God had but incled his mind unto us in one word, yet had there bin no excuse for us if we could not believe him, to submit our selves with such obedience as becometh us. But when we see that besides his giving of the Law, he hath also added an exposition of it, and moreover sent his Prophets too the end that the doctrine should always be of the more authority, & the things be made clear which else would have bin darksome: and after his Prophets, sent his only Son who hath brought us the full perfection of all wisdom: and finally his Apostles: so that he thought it not enough too give the Law, but also willed the Gospel too be published, and that the same should continue to the end, and stirreth fit men still to instruct us: sith […] (I say) that God doth so much for us, and that he hath such a care of our welfare, quickening us up continually without end or ⟨image 335⟩ceasing:

Thus yee see in effect what wee haue too beare in minde, and how it behoueth vs too practize this lesson, wherein the household folke of faith are chiefly commended vntoo vs. And so, seing that God hath vouchsafed too call vs too him, let vs shewe our selues too set more by that grace and honour, than by all the goodes in the worlde. And in proofe thereof, let vs shewe also that wee haue a brotherly affection too doo good too such as haue neede of vs, according to such oportunitie as God shall giue vs, and according too the measure of our abilitie. Nowe herevppon Sainct Paule sayeth, that the Galathians ought too consider, that he hath written them a large letter with his owne hande. And this serues too make them the more attentiue, when they see what care he hath of their saluation. For his commending of the largenesse of his letter, was not too bee payed for it by the pounde (as they say) but too the end that the Galathians might knowe, that he ment too open his hart vnto them, and that for asmuch as he sawe them thrust out of the way into a wrong trade, and was lothe that they shoulde perish, therfore he had not only warned them in a woord or twaine, but also cōfirmed his doctrine, so as they might perceyue themselues to haue bin misledde before. Lo in effect whereat Sainct Paule amed. And by this text we ought all to take warning, to confirme our selues the more, according too the meanes and helpes whiche our Lorde giueth vs to come to him withall. If God had but incled his minde vntoo vs in one woord, yet had there bin no excuce for vs if we could not beleeue him, to submit our selues with such obedience as becommeth vs. But when wee see that besides his giuing of the Lawe, he hath also added an exposition of it, and moreouer sent his Prophets too the ende that the doctrine should alwayes bee of the more authoritie, & the things be made cleere which else would haue bin darkesome: and after his Prophetes, sent his onely Sonne who hath brought vs the full perfection of all wisedome: and finally his Apostles: so that he thought it not ynough too giue the Lawe, but also willed the Gospell too bee published, and that the same shoulde continue to the end, and stirreth fit men still to instruct vs: sith (I say) that God doth so much for vs, and that he hath such a care of our welfare, quickening vs vp continually without ende or