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, we have here a mirror of Gods goodness, in such sort as it showeth it self towards us, and whereof we be partakers, to the end that all men from the smallest to the greatest, should learn to humble themselves. Therefore when we come too the knowledge of the Gospel, although we have no such revelations as Paul had: yet notwithstanding, this thing doth always take place and hath his continual course, namely that it is not of our selves, neither can men put forth themselves to it of themselves, but all proceedeth of Gods mere goodness, for that he hath so ordained. For the words that S. Paul useth, exclude all respects that can be had, as when one man shall do another man good for some desert, or for some other thing that ⟨p. 41⟩he findeth in his person. He doth no more here, but set down simply, that forasmuch as God findeth no worthiness in us, therefore when it pleaseth him to accept us for his children, and to draw us too the knowledge of his Gospel, he showeth that his so doing proceedeth of his own purpose and will. Thus then the thing that we be taught here, is that faith is in such wise the mere gift of God, that men cannot challenge too themselves the praise of their coming too the light of the Gospel, where their happiness and welfare lie, but ought to glorify God, because he hath bound them too him by choosing them, and calling them too lead them thereunto: for as for the cause thereof, he seeketh it in himself and in his own mere mercy. As much is too be said of all the charges whereabouts God employeth us. True it is that men choose one another according as they see ability in them to be put to some business: so as one is set too rule a country, another too preach Gods word, and another too this or that. In so doing we have an eye too the things that God hath put into every man, and it is good reason so to do. But yet for all that, how soever the case stand, he that is so chosen, (what handsomeness and ability soever he have too go through with his duty) must understand that God had marked him out before▪ and that he is not framed thereto by his own policy, but that God hath wrought it in him. And therefore let us not think that he which hath a better and more forward wit than other men, hath it of himself.

Paule, wee haue heere a mirrour of Gods goodnesse, in such sort as it sheweth it selfe towardes vs, and whereof we bee parttakers, to the end that all men from the smallest to the greatest, should learne to humble themselues. Therfore when wee come too the knowledge of the Gospell, although wee haue no suche reuelations as Paule had: yet notwithstanding, this thing dooth alwayes take place and hath his continuall course, namely that it is not of our selues, nother can men put foorth themselues to it of themselues, but all proceedeth of Gods meere goodnesse, for that he hath so ordayned. For the woordes that S. Paule vseth, exclude all respectes that can bee had, as when one man shall doo another man good for some desert, or for some other thing that