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

Although the unbelievers be poisoned by the Gospel through their own lewdness, and it seem too them that there is nothing else but filthiness in it: yet will God always take in good worth the sacrifice that we offer unto him. So then, in this text Saint Paul meant not to say that he had run in vain, as though God had bin mocked by him, and that his preaching had bin too no purpose: but he had an eye too those whom he had taught, and too those also whom he intended too teach too the end, how that they ⟨p. 54⟩were not edified when they perceived not some good agreement betwixt him & the other Apostles, which were known to be ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ. Here a man might caste some doubt, whither those persons were faithful or no, inasmuch as they had not believed the Gospel, except they had bin aided by men. The answer is easy: namely that the only word of God ought to suffice for our faith. If it be demanded whereupon our faith is grounded, and how it cometh to full perfection: it is by Gods word. How so? Are not the Sacraments added to the word? Yes, as helps because we be overweak: yea & there is an Oath also, insomuch that God sweareth: all which things are over and besides the word, yea and as an overplus. But he intendeth too lift us up again when he seeth us stumble: and when we be so weak that we trust not so certainly to his power as we should do, he giveth us such helps. For when we see good agreement between Gods servants, surely it helpeth us much, and it is a good warrant unto us. Likewise the blood of Martyrs ought surely to be a great furtherance of our salvation, and we must be confirmed by it, as though it were some seal too make Gods doctrine of the more authority among us. Then are they helps too draw us to the faith, and too maintain and confirm us in the same. As much is too be said of miracles. Miracles do not give us belief of Gods word, but prepare us to it. For God uttereth his power in them, too the end we should be the better wakened, and his word have the more reverence among us, and finally they serve us for seals. For when we believe the Gospel, and that our belief is not utterly out of all doubt: God addeth that confirmation. Even so is it with the thing that S. Paul treateth of presently.

Although the vnbeleeuers bee poyzoned by the Gospell through theyr owne leudnesse, and it seeme too them that there is nothing else but filthinesse in it: yet wil God alwayes take in good woorth the sacrifize that wee offer vntoo him. So then, in this text Sainct Paule ment not to say that he had runne in vayne, as though God had bin mocked by him, and that his preachyng had bin too no purpose: but he had an eye too those whom he had taught, and too those also whom he intended too teach too the end, howe that they