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

I answer, that the very well spring and foundation is not too be sought elsewhere than in Gods only goodness, inasmuch as it pleased him too pity us. Nevertheless it is brought to pass by the means of faith (as I have said already,) because that being rid of all fond overweening, and acknowledging our selves to be damned in our own nature, we flee for refuge to our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus you see in effect what S. Paul meant to say. And he goeth on still with the matter, to the end we should know, that only faith ought to suffice us to the attaining of salvation, without seeking any other means one way or other too help us. What should we desire more than that God should acknowledge us for his children? VVill we needs have an overplus added too so inestimable a benefit? Ye see then that our full felicity and perfect glory, is that we have leave to call upon God as our father, not doubting but that seeing he hath received us into his favour, he will also handle us as his own children. But how shall we come by that? Saint Paul saith it is only faith that maketh us partakers of that dignity. Then let us conclude, that the Law can nothing advantage us, or else it must needs be that we be wonderful covetous, yea and as good as out of our wits, to desire more than too be the children of God.¹ The Angels are greatly honoured in the holy Scripture, and yet the chief title that is given them, is that they be the children of God. Now seeing that we, we (I say) poor worms of the earth, in whom there is nothing but filthiness, no nor aught but corruption of sin, be matched with the Angels, insomuch that God openeth us the kingdom of heaven, and intendeth too have us fellows with them, who be virtues & are near about him, seeing (I say) that we be made partakers ⟨image 194⟩of that glory: shall we be so presumptuous to seek I wot not what moreover? Truly it is not only faith that maketh us to obtain that benefit. Wherefore let us learn to renounce all other means that may be set before us: for when men offer us any other helps as though the faith that we have in him were not sufficient, it is but a turning of us away from our Lord Jesus Christ. That then is Saint Pauls meaning. But we shall never conceive the fruit that is contained in this text, except we always bear in mind, that by this word Faith S.

I answere, that the verie well spring and foundation is not too bee sought elsewhere than in Gods onely goodnesse, inasmuche as it pleased him too pitie vs. Neuerthelesse it is brought to passe by the meanes of fayth (as I haue saide alreadie,) bycause that beeing rid of all fonde ouerweening, and acknowledging our selues to be damned in our owne nature, wee flee for refuge to our Lorde Iesus Christ. Thus you see in effect what S. Paule ment to say. And he goeth on still with the matter, to the end we shoulde knowe, that onely fayth ought to suffice vs to the atteyning of saluation, without seeking any other meanes one way or other too helpe vs. VVhat shoulde wee desyre more than that God shoulde acknowledge vs for his children? VVill we needes haue an ouerplus added too so inestimable a benefite? Ye see then that our full felicitie and perfect glorie, is that we haue leaue to call vppon God as our father, not doubting but that seeing he hath receyued vs into his fauour, hee will also handle vs as his owne children. But howe shall we come by that? Saint Paule sayth it is onely fayth that maketh vs parttakers of that dignitie. Then let vs conclude, that the Lawe can nothing aduauntage vs, or else it must needes bee that wee bee woonderfull couetous, yea and as good as out of our wits, to desire more than too be the children of God.