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

Ye see then that men of their own nature are nothing but corruption. And forasmuch as they would fain presume to much of their own wisdom and power, or of their own righteousness and courage: therefore too put away all that pride and fond overweening, God sayeth What are ye?¹ flesh and blood. Yea and sometimes by this saying flesh and blood, the holy Scripture meaneth this sinful nature of ours which we have since the fall of Adam. For we have no more the uncorruptnesse that was in us, but contrariwise we be utterly ignorant or rather beastly, and there is nothing but filthiness in us, so as we be not able too do any thing that is aught worth, furtherfoorth than God governeth us. Lo in what wise we be termed flesh and blood. And therefore it is said, that our being enlightened in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, cometh not to us by heritage, nor is had of flesh and blood, but that we be mad• the children of God through his begetting of us new again by his holy spirit, yea even after a special manner. For we would hold altogether with the world, if he should let us alone too our selves. ⟨p. 45⟩Again, in the sixteenth of Saint Matthew it is said, that fl•she and blood had not told Peter and his fellows that Jesus Christ was the son of God:² but the heavenly father. Thus ye see how men are called flesh and blood: namely when they be compared unto God, to show that we have not ought but corruption in us. True it is that our souls are immortal: nevertheless the Scripture speaketh so of us in way of contempt, to the end we should be void of presumption. But as for the Apostles, they were already regenerated by Gods spirit: and therefore there was more in them than flesh and blood, as we have seen by the Text last alleged. Yet notwithstanding, whensoever they be compared with God, then must all that is of our own nature be comprehended under the terms of flesh and blood. And why? For else it should come in question, too know whether the Apostles might by their own worthiness and excellency prejudice the Gospel, as the foresaid troublers pretended to shroud themselves withal. But Saint Paul showeth, that if God withdraw that which is his, there shall remain nothing either in Peter, John, or James, but that they be the sons of Adam as other men are, so as there is nothing in them but corruption.