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

Thus ye see in effect, that the thing which we have too bear in mind, is that if it be late ere we be called too the Gospel, we must be sorry that we have spent our time so ill, and specially that we have lived like wretched brute beasts, without knowing who is our father too whom we ought too do homage, both for our life and for all the goods which we have received of him. Therefore we ought too be sorry for that. Again, when we see a man return that was gone astray, we must acknowledge such change too be a miracle of God. For if a man have bin a wild beast, and past all hope of being brought unto God, and yet afterward becometh as a sheep, and submitteth himself willingly too the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ: it cannot be but that the hand of God hath passed upon him. Therefore it behoveth us too know what all men have bin aforetimes, and every man ought too be his own judge in that behalf: but yet for all that, when a man hath bin slow in coming unto God, if God work in him with such power as it is seen that he mindeth too set him forwarder in one day, than some other men in ten years: his so doing must not cause us too pluck back him that was able too edify, as men sometimes do, saying, what was such a one a two or three years ago? such sayings are nought worth. Let us rather understand, that our Lord hath showed himself so much the more, too the end too be honoured. And therewithal, forasmuch as Gods gifts ought not too be unprofitable: let us suffer them too be applied to the profit and welfare of the faithful. Ye see then that our looking what men have bin aforetimes, must not be to despise them still: for it may be that God gave him the bridle for a time too the intent too bring him down, so as he became an unthrift, ⟨p. 67⟩or lived in ignorance, and knew not goodness, or had not any excellent or commendable quality in him: and yet for all that, God will set him as it were upon the scaffold, and show by effect that he intendeth too be served by him. Therefore it behoveth us too take in good worth, the thing that God giveth and offereth unto us in that wise.

Thus yee see in effect, that the thing which wee haue too beare in minde, is that if it bee late ere wee bee called too the Gospell, wee muste bee sorie that wee haue spent our tyme so ill, and specially that wee haue liued like wretched brute beasts, without knowing who is our father too whom wee ought too doo homage, bothe for our life and for all the goodes which we haue receyued of him. Therefore wee ought too bee sorie for that. Againe, when wee see a man returne that was gone astray, wee muste acknowledge suche chaunge too bee a miracle of God. For if a man haue bin a wilde beast, and past all hope of beyng brought vnto God, and yet afterward becommeth as a sheepe, and submitteth himselfe willingly too the obedience of our Lord Iesus Christe: it cannot bee but that the hand of God hath passed vppon him. Therefore it behoueth vs too know what all men haue bin aforetimes, and euery man ought too bee his owne iudge in that behalfe: but yet for all that, when a man hath bin slowe in comming vntoo God, if God woorke in him with suche power as it is seene that he mindeth too set him forewarder in one day, than some other men in ten yeeres: his so doyng muste not cause vs too plucke backe him that was able too edifie, as men sometimes doo, saying, what was such a one a twoo or three yeeres ago? suche sayings are nought woorth. Lette vs rather vnderstand, that our Lorde hath shewed himselfe so much the more, too the end too be honored. And therewithall, for asmuch as Gods gifts ought not too bee vnprofitable: let vs suffer them too bee applyed to the profite and welfare of the faythfull. Yee see then that our looking what men haue bin aforetimes, must not bee to despyze them still: for it may bee that God gaue hym the brydle for a tyme too the intent too bryng hym downe, so as he became an vnthrift,