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

But first of all let us mark here, that when Saint Paul speaketh of Baptism, he presupposeth that we receive the thing that is offered unto us in it. Many that are baptised do wipe away the grace of God: and notwithstanding that it be offered them, yet they make themselves unworthy of it through their unbelief, lewdness, and rebellion. Thus ye see that the power of baptism is defeated in many men. But when there happeneth a mutual agreement & melody between God and us: then hath baptism the effect whereof S. Paul treateth and discourseth in this text. And so the thing that maketh us Gods children and clothed us with Jesus Christ, is that God draweth us out of the corruption wherein we were by nature, and will have Jesus Christ to be our head, and us engrafted into him to be partakers of his goods. Therefore look when we receive that, then is all accomplished that is figured by baptism. If hypocrites brag of their baptism,¹ S. Paul showeth them that it is but vanity and illusion, saying that the circumcision of the letter is nothing: that is to say, if we look no further but to the outward and visible Sacrament, it is all of no value. Even so is it with baptism: it shall stand them in no stead which with their mouths vaunt themselves to be Christians and great pillars of the Church, forasmuch as they defile the thing which God had dedicated to so excellent an use, as I have told you before. Then let us mark well that S. Paul speaketh this sentence, not to all without exception, which bear the sign and mark [of baptism] outwardly: but to such as fare the better by their baptism. Again S. Paul meaneth not that baptism, that is to say the water hath the power to change us in such wise, that we should be clothed with our Lord Jesus Christ: for by that means God should be robbed of the praise that is due to himself alone. But he showeth here the mean whereby we be certified that we be the members of our Lord Jesus Christs body. I have told you already, that we must not seek any other cause of it than Gods mere goodness: for if we fetch windlasses one where or other, it is like as if a man were a thirst, and would turn his back to the fountain [to seek water.]

But first of all let vs marke here, that when Saint Paule speaketh of Baptisme, he presupposeth that we receyue the thing that is offered vnto vs in it. Many that are baptised do wype away the grace of God: and notwithstanding that it be offered them, yet they make themselues vnworthie of it through their vnbeleef, lewdnesse, and rebellion. Thus yee see that the power of baptisme is disfeated in many men. But when there happeneth a mutual agreement & melodie betwene God and vs: then hath baptisme the effect whereof S. Paule treateth and discourseth in this text. And so the thing that maketh vs Gods children and clothed vs with Iesus Christ, is that God draweth vs out of the corruption wherin we were by nature, and will haue Iesus Christ to be our head, and vs ingraffed into him to be parttakers of his goods. Therfore looke when we receiue that, then is all accōplished that is figured by baptisme. If hypocrites brag of their baptisme,