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 away. And herewithall in this conversion of Saint Pauls, we see perfectly the heavenly power which he minded to show us here: that is to wit, that it was not of man, but that God had uttered his arm, to the end it might be known that such change came of him, and that S. Paul was become a new creature. For surely it is a more excellent work of God, when a man is repaired after his Image, than when we be borne into this transitory life. And so we see how Saint Paul was made a new man. And that is the cause ⟨p. 36⟩why he saith expressly, that he persecuted the Church of God, that he made havoc of all things, and that he played the cutthroat (as ye would say,) until God had changed him, and of a ravening wolf made him a meek sheep, and finally a shepherd in his Church under our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus then we perceive, that S. Paul was sent us by the hand of God, and that he bringeth a sure mark, so as we see he did not thrust himself in, but that it was a work of the holy Ghost, and there was nothing of his own coining in the doctrine that he preached, forsomuch as it behoved him too have quite and clean renounced himself, to the end to give and apply himself to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. For had S. Paul bin led with vainglory, we be sure he was honoured among his own countrymen, and he could have won his spurs there. Again, if he had stood upon the reputation of a holy life, he was unblameable. On the other side he was at his ease & lived in rest. But it stood him on hand to have made no more account of all the things that are to be desired to the worldward, and which he had highly esteemed before,¹ than of dung & dirt, (as he himself protesteth to the Philippians) and it behoved him to cast them all away as things hurtful, forasmuch as he saw well how they were all of them impeachments that hindered him from coming to our Lord Jesus Christ. S. Paul therefore not only gave over the reputation which he had to be a great doctor, & therewithal a holy man, & as it were a little Angel: & moreover the rest, ease & commodities of the world: but also did before god give over all his opinion of purchasing eternal life by his own good works.

Thus ye see in effect what wee haue too beare away. And herewithall in this conuersion of Saint Paules, wee see perfectly the heauenly power which he minded to shewe vs heere: that is to wit, that it was not of man, but that God had vttered hys arme, to the ende it might bee knowne that such chaunge came of him, and that S. Paule was become a new creature. For surely it is a more excellent worke of God, when a man is repayred after his Image, than when we be borne into this transitorie lyfe. And so wee see howe Saint Paule was made a newe man. And that is the cause