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

let us learn to give our selves in such wise unto God, as we may steadfastly continue in the way which he showeth us, and not excuse our selves by our own ⟨p. 49⟩weakness, seeing that Saint Paul goeth before us, and reacheth us his hand. He was a frail man as we be, and yet did God strengthen him in such wise by his holy spirit, that he overpassed such lets. Wherefore seeing we perceive our selves to be weak, let us beseech God to arm us with such constancy, as we may not cease to discharge our duty towards him, though some misreport us, some blame us, and othersome mock us, and make none account of all our labour when we endeavour to do well. Although then that our labour seem to be lost and misspent, yet let it suffice us that God liketh and alloweth of it. And so ye see what we have too gather upon that Text. Above all things, let us not covet to be renowned, and too get great fame in this world: for let us strain our selves as much as may be possibly, and yet shall we never be better, than Saint Paul was. After he had preached the Gospel in such wise, yea even as a man continually rapt up into heaven, insomuch that although the revelation whereof he speaketh in the second too the Corinthians,¹ was exhibited too him but for one time, yet the fruit of it showed it self all the time of his life: yet notwithstanding he was unknown in the mean while: yea even in all the Churches of Jewry. And so it might seem well that he had not greatly profited, seeing that all his labour was buried. But it was enough for him that God edified the furthest strangers by his means. We see then that he sought not too be much renowned, nor too purchase credit and authority among men. As concerning that he sayeth, the Churches of Jewry that were in Christ: he addeth that word of purpose, because there was yet still some seed of God among the Jews, and the promises were so given too them, as they were not utterly cut off, until such time as they renounced Jesus Christ quite and clean, and thereby were utterly bereft of the inheritance of the life that was assigned unto them. For like as God had chosen the line of Abraham: so our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world too be the minister of those whom God had so adopted, and to perform the promises that had bin given to their fathers.

let vs learne to giue our selues in suche wise vntoo God, as we may stedfastly continue in the way which hee sheweth vs, and not excuze our selues by our owne