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

Paul addeth, that when it had pleased God too call him too preach the Gospel, he did immediately fall in train, and w•yted not at all for the advice of man, for it was enough for him that God had sent him, and that he was avowed by such a Master. Whereupon he did not in any wise spare himself, nor stand scanning of the matter, but resolved himself fully to go forward on his way, and to hold out in such wise as we have seen, which is a sure record that God governed him by his holy spirit. This is the thing which we have too bear in mind. And therewithal we must also mark well how he sayeth, that God had prepared him from his mothers womb, and in the end called him too publish his Gospel. Here S. Paul showeth that his calling after that manner, was not for any forwardness or worthiness that was in his own person: but because he had bin chosen of God, even before he was borne. That is the cause why he purposely useth this saying that from his mothers womb, he had bin as it were separated and dedicated unto God. How then could he bring any thing of his own power? For what could he do when he was yet unborn? ⟨p. 39⟩God therefore must needs be the worker in that behalf. Again, he addeth that God called him. True it is, that he speaketh this concerning his office: but yet notwithstanding he magnifieth Gods goodness in general, to show that too him only we be beholden for all that we have, not only in respect of this flightfull life, but specially for the everlasting salvation of our souls. This cannot be laid out too the full at this time, and therefore we will leave a piece of it till the next time. Howbeit for a conclusion, let us mark how S. Paul showeth us as it were in a mirror, that our yielding of our selves in obedience unto God, happeneth not through any mans putting forth of himself, but through Gods reaching out of his hand from above, and through his drawing of us too himself, even at such time as we could not seek him. No doubt but men will always imagine somewhat too commend themselves withal. Nevertheless all is but illusion: and the Devil useth that trick to make us too darken Gods grace, too the intent we might be bereft of it.

Paule addeth, that when it had pleazed God too call him too preache the Gospell, he did immediately fall in trayne, and w•yted not at all for the aduice of man, for it was ynough for him that God had sente him, and that he was auowed by such a Mayster. VVherevppon he did not in any wise spare himself, nor stand scannyng of the matter, but resolued himself fully to go foreward on his way, and to hold out in such wyse as wee haue seene, which is a sure record that God gouerned him by his holy spirite. This is the thing which wee haue too beare in minde. And therwithall we must also marke well how he sayeth, that God had prepared him from his mothers wombe, and in the end called him too publish his Gospell. Here S. Paule sheweth that his calling after that maner, was not for any forewardnesse or woorthinesse that was in his owne persone: but bycause he had bin chozen of God, euen before he was borne. That is the cause why he purposely vseth this saying that from his moothers wombe, he had bin as it were separated and dedicated vnto God. How then could he bring any thing of his own power? For what could he do when he was yet vnborne?