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

And it behoveth us too have the definition of ⟨image 145⟩this word Faith: for without that, all this doctrine would be to no purpose. I have told you already that whereas the Papists strive against us: they know neither why nor wherefore they do it, nor whereat they bend themselves, but rush forth overth wart, awry, and at all adventure. For they never wist what faith meant, & that do they show well enough, I mean even the greatest doctors of them, for all that they will say is that faith is to believe in God: and if they believe in God, so do the Devils too. But when as S. Paul speaketh here of faith, he meaneth not that we should have but only some guess that there is a God which reigneth in heaven: but that we must take him to be our father, assuring our selves throughly of it by the promises which he giveth us, and so link our selves too our Lord Jesus Christ, as we doubt not but that all that ever he hath is proper and belonging to us, because we be members of his body. But when the Papists talk of faith, they say it is a confused thing, and that it serveth not to make us good men so as we might be saved by it. We see then that the Papists go brutishly to work, as folk utterly dulled by Satan. And it is a just punishment of God upon their pride, because they cannot find in their hearts too humble themselves, by confessing themselves to owe all unto God, and that there is nothing in them worthy to be accepted at his hand, but that they must be fain to receive the mere grace that is offered them. Thus ye see after what manner we must take the word Faith. But here is yet one point more which serveth greatly too that purpose: which is, too know after what manner Abraham believed God, and that shall be the conclusion. If Abraham had believed no more but that there was a God in heaven: that would not have served too have justified him, for the Heathen folk believed as much. Again, if Abraham had believed that God was judge of the world: that would not have served his turn neither. But when as God sayeth unto him,¹ I am thy plentiful reward, and I will be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee, and moreover all nations shall be blessed in thee: by accepting such promises wherein God acquainted himself with him, and witnessed too him that he took him for one of his household and as his own child, and became his father:

And it behoueth vs too haue the definition of ⟨image 145⟩