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

at leastwise have we it preached purely? Then is Jesus Christ as it it were in the midst of us, and showeth himself as it were hanging upon the Cross, witnessing what he did for us, when he suffered death to reconcile us to God his father. There he setteth us down a sure and undeceivable pledge or warrant, and let us content our selves with it. For when we have pleaded never so much, it will not excuse us: our case will always go against us, if we be not well assured in our consciences, that we have wholly leaned unto God's ⟨image 135⟩word, which (as I said) bringeth us so near unto God, that it is the very union itself, which we have with him in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in good sooth, we see how God doth as it were stoop to our rudeness and infirmity. For doth he speak in so lofty and dark a stile as we can understand nothing? No: but contrariwise he abaseth himself, and thereto thinks it not enough to have spoken, but also addeth Sacraments to his word, which are the true pictures that we ought to have. Like as when we see the water of baptism, it is a picture which showeth us that we be •ull of filth and uncleanness, till we be washed: and by whom? We must seek our washing from above. Besides this, it showeth us that we must be renewed by the holy Ghost of God. That then is a good picture. And why? Because it beareth Gods mark, and is matched with his word. As much is to be said of the Lords supper. When we see the morsels of bread and the drops of wine. Very well, they be the Creatures whereof we have bin wont too take nourishment and sustenance for our bodies: but the same do lead us to the life of our souls, and give us to understand, that we have no life but in our Lord Jesus Christ. And the cause why the wine is added, is to show that he hath such virtue in him, as we need not to seek any part of the things that we want, any otherwhere: but that he serveth us for meat and drink and all. These (I say) are the good images that God hath set afore us: and now if we be still soaring in the air, and gadding after our own lusts, to say I would fain have more: it is a disdaining of the grace that is offered us.

at leastwise haue wee it preached purely? Then is Iesus Christ as it it were in the middes of vs, and sheweth himself as it were hanging vppon the Crosse, witnessing what hee dyd for vs, when he suffered death to reconcyle vs to God his father. There hee setteth vs downe a sure and vndeceyuable pledge or warrant, and let vs content our selues with it. For when we haue pleaded neuer so muche, it will not excuse vs: oure cace wyll alwayes go againste vs, if wee bee not well assured in oure consciences, that wee haue whollye leaned vntoo Goddes