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

Not that we have any at all of our own: but because he doth as it were behold himself in us. For look how many good things there are in the faithful, so many records are there of Gods goodness in that he hath showed himself bountiful towards them.¹ That is the cause why that in the tenth of the Acts and in other places, this accepting of persons is put for the deckings and visors which are as false illusions: of which sort are riches, credit, dignity, nobility and such other things, which serve too make men too set store by themselves, and too stand in their own conceits.² But it is said that God doth look into mens hearts, and not gaze upon the outside of them, so they submit themselves too him obediently, as I have declared already. This is in effect the thing that we have too bear in mind. Now S. Paul addeth immediately, that the Apostles avowed him too be their fellow and gave him their hand, as it were too warrant that the Gospel which he had preached, was in all points conformable to their doctrine, & that all of them had served our Lord Jesus Christ. Hereunto S. Paul addeth, that he was by common consent received as the Apostle of the Gentiles▪ that is too say, of such as had not bin brought up under the law, nor were Jews by birth and ancientry. Here we see that S. Pauls striving was not with the Apostles: for they avowed him too be their fellow: neither did he disdain them: for we have seen before, that although his coming to Jerusalem was with assured knowledge that God had appointed him, and upon sure and infallible revelation, after he had bin caught up into the third Heaven: yet notwithstanding he was not carried with pride, neither undertook he that journey to Jerusalem, to common with the Apostles for fear least he had already or should thereafter run in vain. For his desire was too have all men know, that ⟨image 89⟩he challenged not any special thing too himself, but that his only seeking▪ was, that the Son of God might be published all the world over, and that men should worship him and rest upon him, so as he brought not a new Jesus Christ, but was conformable in all points too Peter and John, and too all their fellows.