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

Paul used not that manner of speech and language without cause. Therefore whensoever we be rebuked, let us blame our own faults for it, and yield our selves guilty: for we shall gain nothing by checking again. When we have disputed what we can, we may peradventure ⟨image 132⟩justify our case afore men: but we shall always be guilty before God. Moreover it behoveth us too mark well the reason that is added here by S. Paul, when he sayeth, ye must needs be bewitched, if ye obey not the truth, seeing that our Lord Jesus Christ hath bin as it were painted out lively before you, yea and even crucified among you. In speaking after that fashion, S. Paul showeth with what force and effectualness he had preached the Gospel. Therefore he likeneth the doctrine which he had brought, unto a picture: & thereunto enlargeth it yet better, saying that the matter which he had preached among the Galatians, ought too avail as much as if they had seen the Son of God crucified among them, and his blood shed out for the spiritual washing of their souls. For so much then as they had bin taught so faithfully, they could no more excuse themselves of their backsliding. But first of all we see here which is the true manner of preaching the Gospel: namely to give knowledge of Gods love towards us, in that he spared not his only Son, but gave him too the death for us: according as in very deed all the treasures of wisdom and understanding are laid up in our Lord Jesus Christ,¹ as it is said in another place too the Colossians. Sith it is so, if we be desirous to profit well in the Gospel, let us learn too acknowledge the grace that is purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ: for without that, all that we have is nothing. Many will brag that they be well learned in Gods word: but the true trial too know whither it be so or no, is if we perceive how great need we have, that God should pour out his mercy upon us, too succour us by drawing us out of the gulf of Hell, and thereupon conclude that we cannot be cleansed and washed from any of all our spots, but by the blood of Gods son nor obtain righteousness but by the obedience that he hath yielded: nor have any satisfaction for us but by the sacrifice that he hath offered: nor come in Gods favour but by his means: nor open our mouths too call upon him but by his intercession.

Paule vsed not that maner of speach and language without cause. Therefore whensoeuer we bee rebuked, let vs blame our owne faultes for it, and yeeld our selues giltie: for wee shall gayne nothing by checking againe. VVhen we haue disputed what we can, wee may peraduenture