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

Truly for as much as we be heavy and earthy, we had need to have the things chewed unto us, which we be not able too digest: yet notwithstanding God is so gracious and chary too us, as too teach us spiritually: that is too say, after a higher and excellenter manner than he taught the fathers under the Law. We see that Abraham had not this privilege; and yet nevertheless he is the father of the faithful, and it behoveth us to be fashioned like unto him, as we shall see a while after. ⟨image 140⟩We see that David was an excellent King and Prophet, and yet notwithstanding he saw not the things which we see now, but only in a shadow. As much is to be said of all those whom God guided under the ancient figures. And for that cause our Lord Jesus Christ saith,¹ that the eyes are happy which see the things that we see since his showing of him self to the world, and that the ears are happy which hear the doctrine of the Gospel as it is preached unto us. Seeing then that God cometh after that sort unto us, and becometh so familiar with us: if we shrink back, and take Ceremonies and figures in stead of the good doctrine, as though we might not come at him: is it not a kicking against him as it were in spite of him? And doth not that rebelliousness show us to be unwilling that God should be merciful and bountiful to wards us, as he showeth him self to be? Now then we may easily understand what S. Paul meaneth here. For he upbraideth the Galatians with their going backward like Sea crabs, in that whereas they had bin trained in the spiritual doctrine of the Gospel, they turned back again to the shadows of the Law. Likewise if we in our time, after we have once acquainted our selves with such order as is according too the Gospel, and be inured with such service of God as is ruled by his pure word, would needs afterward be mingling of fancies with it, and say, it will be good to do thus and thus yet: it were a turning back again to the flesh, that is to say, whereas God hath advanced us on high, we would draw down: and that is a manifest fighting against him.

Truely for as muche as we bee heauie and earthy, wee had neede to haue the things chawed vnto vs, which wee bee not able too digest: yet notwithstanding God is so gracious and charie too vs, as too teache vs spiritually: that is too say, after a higher and excellenter maner than he taught the fathers vnder the Lawe. VVe see that Abraham had not this priuiledge; and yet neuerthelesse he is the father of the faythfull, and it behoueth vs to be fashioned like vnto him, as we shall see a while after.