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

Ye see then that we cannot enjoy any thing at all, unless we be Gods children. And for the same cause also, Saint Paul in the fourth too the Romans,¹ thinks it not enough too set down the heavenly life and everlasting salvation: but also nameth the heritage of the world, and sayeth that Abraham was made heir of the world, and that the same was not for that man alone, but for all men in general. Therefore whereas God adopteth us and telleth us that he will be gracious unto us, it is too the end that while ⟨p. 154⟩we live here beneath, we should be fed by his hand, and he in giving us food make us too taste aforehand of the love which he beareth us, and of the care that he hath over us. Too be short, we may and ought also too behold Gods fatherly goodness in all his creatures. Do we open our eyes and look upon the light of the Sun? Even there doth God show himself a father towards us. When we eat and receive our sustenance, God reacheth out his hand too show, that we be already fed by him as his own children. Too be short, in all things and by all means he maketh us too taste his fatherly love aforehand, too the intent we should be confirmed in the things that he showeth us in the Gospel: that is too wit, that he hath reserved a better heritage for us, as for his children whom he hath adopted. Then must all creatures direct us unto heavenward. But surely we do the clean contrary: for we apply Gods creatures to our own lusts, so as we behold down still by them here. To be short, look how many helps God hath given us too draw us too him: so many lets have we too hold us back in the world. For we never pass too know how we should be reckoned for Gods children, so we may live at our ease in this world: that is enough for us. But yet for all that, it standeth us greatly on hand too perceive, that God doth already in this world show himself a father towards us, and intendeth too do us too wit what a care he hath of us, too the end we should learn too refer our selves wholly unto him, and there too rest. Ye see then, that by this word Heritage or Inheritance, God showeth, first that whatsoever he offereth us is of his own mere free bounteousness: and secondly that we be so cursed, that we have no right too any thing, no not even too a drop of water:

Yee see then that wee cannot inioy any thing at all, vnlesse wee bee Gods children. And for the same cause also, Sainct Paule in the fourth too the Romanes,