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 for that we must conclude, that Gods preferring of us before those whom he leaveth as of castes, is not for that he findeth us worthy or capable of such a benefit, but because he had so ordained before he had created us and put us into the world, yea and even before there was either heaven or earth.¹ And that is the cause why it is said that it behoveth us to be given to our Lord Jesus Christ before we can come unto him. And who is it that maketh that gift? It is not every mans offering of himself of his own mere motion. True it is that we ought to do so: for our faith importeth obedience & sacrifice, so as it becometh us to dedicate our selves to God willingly, & to make a present both of our bodies and of our souls unto our Lord Jesus Christ, as to him that hath bought us. Nevertheless, this (as I said) is not of our own mere motion, but God must be fain to bow us thereunto. And why so? Even because we were his afore. And how belong we too him? not by inheritance, nor by any title that we can allege on our own behalf, but only because he chose us. ⟨p. 43⟩Now then we see what this text importeth. But let us come back •oo the chief point that Saint Paul treateth of here. For the things that I have discoursed hitherto, are but too show that our adoption serveth not too bereave God of his glory, which thing they do that brag of their own free will, virtues, and merits. Wherefore let us put away all such pride, and confess that we be beholden too God for all things. Howbeit let us also consider therewithal, that Saint Pauls rehearsing of this change, is too assure us throughly, that the doctrine which he delivered us in his life, and which we have now still in writing, is not of this world, nor forged of his own brain, but a thing whereunto he was prepared of God. And we have need to be grounded upon such a certainty, for else, whereas our faith ought too get the upper hand of Satan and of all things that are against our Salvation: it should always stagger, yea and be but a wavering opinion. But now let us see a little what battles we have too endure. If we leaned unto men, what should become of us? what steadiness would there be in us? Seeing we be daily assailed with so many temptations, that by all likelihood we should be overwhelmed and perish:

But for that wee muste conclude, that Gods preferring of vs before those whom he leaueth as of castes, is not for that hee findeth vs woorthie or capable of suche a benefite, but bycause hee had so ordeyned before he had created vs and put vs intoo the worlde, yea and euen before there was eyther heauen or earth.