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 although there was a veil in the Temple, and other shadows, yet nevertheless the fathers had always an eye unto Jesus Christ, unto whom we be led at this day. Thus you see how they might walk freely and without doubting, and how that at this day also there is not any thing that can shake us, if we keep on our way too our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that by his means we be all called too the heritage which he hath purchased for us. And therefore we ought so much the more too abhor these Devils, that •eare us in hand and strain them selves too prove, that the fathers of old time were like to brute beasts, as though they had known nothing of the spiritual life. Behold a blasphemy meet too deface all the religion of the world. Of which number ⟨image 206⟩was that cursed creature that was punished here according to his deserts, I mean that dog which durst be so bold as to write, that Abraham never tasted nor knew of the heavenly life, nor•ever worshipped God but imaginatively, and that the reporting of him to be the father of the faithful is but a mockery, and that his faith was but a shadow of faith, and finally that he never knew of Jesus Christ, nor of his coming. Behold (I pray you) the blasphemies wherewith his books were stuffed. But let us in these days abhor such plagues of Satan. For it is certain that the said Champion of the Devil was purposely bent too bring too pass, that there should be no more faith in the world. For inas much as the Devil transformed him self, and showed not his horns at the first, it was very dangerous when he came after that fashion, as it were too dig down the foundation of our faith, as it were under the earth. And Saint Paul warneth us expressly hereof, too the end we should stand upon our guard, and keep good watch that we be not taken tardy. Then let us mark well, that whereas it is said here, that to be made the heirs of God, we must be made the members of our Lord Jesus Christ: thereby the holy Ghost intendeth too confirm us, to the end we should be so much the better disposed to go on forward continually unto God, and to hold out in the hope till we have overcome all the battles of this world, to be brought into the spiritual rest which we look for. Also we have therewithal to mark well, what is said concerning the fullness of time.

and althoughe there was a veyle in the Temple, and other shadowes, yet neuerthelesse the fathers had alwayes an eye vnto Iesus Christe, vnto whome wee bee led at this day. Thus you see howe they mighte walke freely and without doubting, and howe that at this day also there is not any thing that can shake vs, if wee keepe on our waye too our Lorde Iesus Christe, knowing that by his meanes wee bee all called too the heritage which he hath purchased for vs. And therefore wee ought so muche the more too abhorre these Deuils, that eare vs in hande and strayne them selues too proue, that the fathers of olde time were like to brute beastes, as though they had knowen nothing of the spirituall lyfe. Beholde a blasphemie meete too deface all the religion of the worlde. Of which number