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

But when as we know that no man is of sufficient ability too open his mouth to speak of Jesus Christ as he ought too be spoken of, but that it is Gods doing to send forth those of whom it behoveth us to be taught: thereby we perceive the care that he hath of us, & find much better that he is our father and hath not forgotten us. And moreover this serveth to engrave the truth of the Gospel in our hearts, to the end we may know how it is not a doctrine that proceedeth of men, but as of Gods sending? And that although he be served by his creatures: yet notwithstanding he maketh them as instruments of his spirit, and it is he himself that governeth them. Ye see in effect how we may make our profit of this doctrine. But yet do we understand Gods grace the better, in that it is said that he hath chosen us and kept us too himself, even from our mothers womb. And yet is this no let, but that he hath also moreover reserved us from before the creation of the world, according as Saint Paul speaketh in other texts:¹ howbeit it ⟨image 63⟩is enough that in this place he excludeth all that ever cometh of men. When a child cometh out of his mothers womb, what bringeth he with him? What worthiness [hath he]? Surely he is a poor carcass full of filth and uncleanness. Now then if God mark us out at the time when there is nothing in us worthy too be accepted of him, or which deserveth any love or liking: we may perceive thereby, that if he apply us too any honourable seruis afterward, it is by reason of his own mercy, accordingly as they whom God gathereth too be of his flock, are called instruments of his goodness. Thus ye see that the cause why Saint Paul speaketh purposely of his birth, is too show that there was no preparation on his own behalf when God drew him, but that God had respect too his own eternal election, the which he continued, in that it was his will that the same creature should come into the world, and had always guided it too that end. Then let us assure our selves, that when soever God bestoweth any of his benefits upon us, we must always come back too this principle, namely too mount up too his everlasting purpose. Not that we be able too comprehend how or why he hath chosen us, (for that passeth all capacity of man.)

But when as we know that nomā is of sufficient abilitie too open his mouth to speake of Iesus Christ as he ought too be spoken of, but that it is Gods doyng to send forth those of whom it behoueth vs to be taught: thereby wee perceyue the care that he hath of vs, & finde much better that he is our father and hath not forgotten vs. And moreouer this serueth to ingraue the truth of the Gospell in our hartes, to the end wee may know how it is not a doctrine that proceedeth of men, but as of Gods sendyng? And that although he be serued by his creatures: yet notwithstāding he maketh them as instruments of his spirit, and it is he himself that gouerneth them. Yee see in effect how we may make our profite of this doctrine. But yet doo wee vnderstand Gods grace the better, in that it is sayd that he hath chozen vs and kept vs too himself, euen from our moothers wombe. And yet is this no let, but that he hath also moreouer reserued vs from before the creation of the worlde, according as Sainct Paule speaketh in other textes: