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

Therefore let us look narowlier to our selves, and weigh well this text, to the intent we stand steadfast: and forasmuch as God hath called us to so great a good turn, and we do now know that is not by haphazard that the Gospel hath bin preached, but because it was Gods will to utter the infinite riches of his goodness towards us: let us stand in it, and so stick too it, as nothing may thrust us from it, nor by any means ever shake us down. Lo in effect what we have to bear away in this text. Moreover we be warned also, which are the true pictures or paintings to lead us too ⟨p. 114⟩God. The Papists say we must have remembrances to teach us, and that images are the books of the unlearned which are not apt to conceive higher doctrine: but hath Saint Paul spoken here but to three or four folk? No: It is generally, and to all Christians without exception, as well to great as small, that he saith that when the Gospel is preached, then Jesus Christ is painted out lively, and we must look upon him, not with the fleshly eyes of our bodies, but with the spiritual eyes of our faith. Then seeing it is so, let us learn that we have no need of Images and puppets to teach us what is necessary for our salvation, neither need we a piece of wood, stone or other such pelting stuff, too put us in remembrance of God, (for in all those things there is nothing but vanity and leasing:) but we have need to have Gods word preached, and to endeavour and travel to make the same familiar too us, that we may there behold God in his lively image, that is to say in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ his only son,¹ according also as Saint Paul sayeth in the second too the Corinthians, where he protesteth that the doctrine which he brought unto them, was not hidden from any but the unbelievers, such as perish, whom the Devil possesseth, and which have their eyes sealed up. And no wonder though they see not awhit in the open light. But yet in the mean while the doctrine is so manifest unto us, as we may easily perceive Gods will. For he showeth us it familiarly enough as oft as the Gospel is preached, insomuch that we need not to make much running up and down,² not too fetch far windlasses: we need no more to say, who shall sty up above the Clouds? who shall go beyond sea? who shall go down into the deep? Have we Gods word?