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

Not that all men can be teachers a like (for it is very certain that the most part of those whom our Lord Jesus Christ hath in his flock, comprehend not the tenth part of the understanding of the holy Scripture) but that how soever the world go, it behoveth us all to be grounded in these points, namely that there is but one God the father, of whom we have all things, ⟨p. 23⟩and who hath adopted us of his own mere mercy: That there is but one only Jesus Christ, by whose means we be made partakers of all good things: And that we be begotten new again by the holy Ghost: And as touching our Lord Jesus Christ, it standeth us on hand too be well assured that he is our advocate, and that without him we cannot come unto God, nor durst once open our mouths to call him our father, save in respect that we be members of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that he beareth word for us as our spokesman and patron, guiding us as it were by the hand, too bring us unto God his father. If we know not these things, it is certain that we can obtain no Salvation. And that is the cause why S. Paul blameth the Galatians, for that they considered not that there is but one only Gospel, which could not be altered without doing of wrong too our Lord Jesus Christ, who all only ought too have all audience. Therewithal also he warneth us, that when soever there come any busy bodies to turn us from the pure simplicity which we ought too hold us too concerning God and our Lord Jesus Christ: we ought too hold them accursed. For (as shall be said more fully hereafter) they overthrow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And it is a right horrible thing, that the Gospel which is the foundation of our faith and the key too open us the gate of Paradise, should be overthrown. For that is all our welfare, that is the kingdom of God from whence we (after a sort) are banished: and we can by no means come unto him, until he have made us way by means of his Gospel, to the end we may be his people and he our king, and we be guided and governed by his authority. Ye see then that the inestimable benefits which are comprehended in the Gospel, are these: namely that men are reconciled unto God: that the gate of Paradise is opened unto us:

Not that all men can bee teachers a like (for it is very certayne that the most parte of those whom our Lord Iesus Christ hath in his flocke, comprehend not the tenth part of the vnderstanding of the holy Scripture) but that how soeuer the world go, it behoueth vs all to be grounded in these poynts, namely that there is but one God the father, of whom we haue al things,