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

as for example, in that our nature is so wholly inclined too distrust, too lying, too vanity, and too deceit: and again, in that we have so many lusts, which are as storms & whirlwinds to overthrow all our faith: were it possible for us too stand or too have any constancy, if we were not grounded upon God, and knew that the doctrine which we follow is the pure truth that proceedeth out of his mouth. Then standeth it us on hand too have that first of all. True it is that among the Papists men will content themselves with some imagination. For it is enough with them, too believe as the Church believeth, as they say. Howbeit in the mean while the Devil holdeth them in his nets, and they be like silly beasts that are stark blind. But as for us, we must be out of all doubt, that we be taught of God, and that the word which we follow is his. Therefore it behoveth us to give ear too the preaching of the doctrine which was brought by S. Paul, and therewithal too consider that S. Paul did not thrust himself in of his own head, but that God served his own turn by him, as by an instrument that ⟨image 64⟩he had ordained too that purpose. Thus ye see whereunto it behoveth us too refer that which is spoken here. For had S. Paul followed Christianity from his childhood, or had he learned it at school, truly it had bin a gift of God: but then had not we had such an open avouchment and evident record as we have by his change, in that of a ravening wolf he became not only a sheep, but also a shepherd: and whereas he had bin a deadly enemy of the Gospel, now he is become a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ: & whereas erst he had nothing in him but blasphemy, cruelty, pride and rebellion, we see he hath the zeal of Gods spirit, he hath all humility and meekness. Seeing then that we perceive so great and sudden a change, it is as much as if God had uttered his power of purpose that S. Paul should not be taken for a mortal man. And verily for the same cause also did God take up Moses into the Mountain,¹ and keep him there by the space of forty days, when he intended too have his law published. For had Moses [forthwith] preached the things which he knew by revelation: surely he had discharged himself of his duty as a true servant of God:

as for example, in that our nature is so wholly inclined too distrust, too lying, too vanitie, and too deceyt: and againe, in that we haue so many lustes, which are as stormes & whirlwindes to ouerthrow all our fayth: were it possible for vs too stand or too haue any constancie, if we were not grounded vpon God, and knew that the doctrine which wee followe is the pure truth that proceedeth out of his mouth. Then standeth it vs on hande too haue that first of all. True it is that among the Papists men wil content themselues with some imaginacion. For it is ynough with them, too beleeue as the Church beleeueth, as they say. Howbeit in the meane whyle the Diuell holdeth them in his nettes, and they be like sillie beasts that are starke blind. But as for vs, wee muste bee out of all doubt, that we be taught of God, and that the woord which we follow is his. Therefore it behoueth vs to giue eare too the preaching of the doctrine which was brought by S. Paule, and therewithall too consider that S. Paule did not thrust himself in of his owne head, but that God serued his owne turne by him, as by an instrument that