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

that is too wit, that if God have vouchsafed too give them full assuredness of their salvation, which receive the promise that is preached unto them: we must not take upon us to reason against him. For when a deed is passed among men, if it be entered of record, it shall be received and go for good evidence: and what then shall be done when God shall have opened his holy mouth to bear us record of his good will? Is there any solemnity among men that cometh near too the glory of God, who will have us too stick too that which he hath spoken and uttered? True it is (as I have touched already) that we ought to fight against the lewdness which is rooted in us, too yield credit unto God: for we be so bent to mistrustfulness that not one word of the things which God hath uttered shall ever have settling in our harts, except we have fought against the vice wherein we be so sore entangled. So then, every of us when he cometh too be taught in Gods word, must examine what is in himself: and when he seeth him self subject still too many distrusts and doubts, he must mislike of it, and pray God to touch all his senses in such wise too the quick, that he may rest wholly upon the thing which he heareth [at his hand] according also as it is the office of the holy Ghost, to seal in our hearts the truth which is certain enough of it self, howbeit that it be not certain unto us, till it be assured too us from above. For if we were of our own moving inclined to believe God:¹ the holy Ghost should not need to work in that behalf.² But it is said, that he is the very Seal wherewith God marketh us, and whereby▪ he imprinteth and engraveth in our harts the ••ings which else should ⟨image 172⟩never be received. Yea and we must also mark well, that Saint Paul setteth down here two words, namely that no man diminisheth or disannulleth the thing that is authorized among men by lawful and orderly means, nor also addeth any thing too it. For although we be not always utter rebels, yet are our wits still tickling us too make some additions and glosses to Gods word, and we can not abide to hold us to the simplicity that is contained there. Then if we consider well what we be without self soothing, every of us shall find two vices in us.