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

And therefore it becometh us too magnify his mercy, in that he hath vouchsafed too enlighten us by believing his Gospel, too the intent we might know him too be our father, and rest upon him, and pray unto him with full trust. Let us assure our selves, that the having of this cometh not of our own freewill, but of his touching of us too the quick by his holy spirit. For our Lord Jesus Christ who hath all wisdom in him, cannot be known of us except he be revealed, according as he himself avoucheth that no man cometh unto him except the father draw him.¹ Behold, Jesus Christ was conversant in the world at that time: he preached the Gospel and published it with open mouth: and yet notwithstanding he sayeth that no man shall come unto him, that is too say, no man shall frame himself too his obedience, except the father have wrought in his hart by the power of his holy spirit. Now that Jesus Christ is separated ⟨p. 42⟩from us as in respect of distance of place, and as in respect of humane nature, so as we see him not here beneath too have any visible knowledge of him: how shall we come unto him, if we be not drawn by the grace that is spoken of here? And if faith be a special gift of God, and we cannot come too our Lord Jesus Christ except we be led unto him by the hand of God his father: how can they that should draw others do it of their own ability? Needs then must God utter yet a second working. And that is the cause why Saint Paul setteth down both twain of them: that is too wit, first that he had bin enlightened himself, and secondly that he had bin ordained and stablished as a Master and teacher too draw other men, to the good way of Salvation wherein God had set him. Wherefore let us assure our selves, that God granteth a singular grace too such as have charge too preach the Gospel, when he vouchsafeth too apply them thereunto. And that is not only too the end that we which are in that state and office, should walk in the fear of God, and not challenge aught too our selves: but also too the intent that every man should in that behalf have a record of the love that God beareth too his Church. If men should thrust in themselves on their own heads, it might be said that we were taught at all adventure.

And therefore it becommeth vs too magnifie his mercie, in that he hath vouchsafed too inlighten vs by beleeuing his Gospell, too the intent wee might knowe him too bee our father, and rest vppon him, and pray vnto him with full trust. Let vs assure our selues, that the hauing of this commeth not of our owne freewill, but of his touching of vs too the quicke by his holy spirite. For our Lord Iesus Christe who hath all wisedome in him, cannot bee knowen of vs except he bee reueled, according as he himselfe auoucheth that noman commeth vnto him except the father drawe him.