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

So much the more therefore doth it stand us on hand to mark well this strain, where Saint Paul by the power and in the name of God condemneth, yea and with the power of the holy Ghost thundereth, against all such as have bin taught the Gospel faithfully, and afterward do turn aside and slip away from it. And thereupon he addeth, that he would fain have it known by what mean the holy Ghost is received. For if they had received the holy Ghost by the works of the law: Saint Paul would have granted that there was some righteousness to be had by it. But forasmuch as they had received him by the Gospel: it must needs be concluded, that they ought to have ⟨p. 115⟩rested upon the record that God gave them so apparently. And for the better understanding of the thing that he meant too say here: let us mark that Gods spirit is given in common to all the faithful, for so much as they be regenerated and made new creatures. Besides this▪ there are spiritual gifts, which God distributeth according to such measure and portion as he thinketh good, but yet they redound all to the common welfare of the Church. If we be Christians, we must needs have Gods spirit, as we shall see hereafter.¹ For he is called the earnest penny, and the Seal of the heritage that is promised us,² and which we look for. Ye see then that Gods spirit must dwell in us, if we be his children. But besides this, there are also gracious gifts: as for example there was in old time the gift of Tongues, the gift of prophesying, the gift of healing, and such other like. And even still at this day, God showeth well that he hath not utterly forsaken his Church. For although visible gifts reign not now as they did then: yet notwithstanding we may see still, that God doth by some mean or other utter his operation among us. Furthermore Saint Paul speaketh here to all men. And therefore (according to the common and ordinary meaning of it) we will take this word Spirit, for the renewment which God worketh in his children,³ as it is said in the third Chapter of Saint John. For inasmuch as we be borne of flesh, there is nothing in us but utter corruption, and we tend always towards the earth. No doubt but men glory in their own wisdom, and moreover think that they have a free choice and will of their own, to take the good and [leave] the evil, but those are but dreams.