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

For although the people were present in the porch [or outer tabernacle,] yet was there a veil betwixt him and them, so as the Sanctuary was hidden, & nothing was seen of the things that were done within for a witness of Gods presence. It w••• enough that the high priest ⟨image 210⟩went in,¹ in the name of them all, having in his hand the blood wherewith Gods wrath was to be appeased. Then had he the said tablet at his breast, wherein the names of the twelve tribes (that is too say, of Gods people) were engraven. Also he had them upon his shoulders, that it might be said how he was there in the name of the whole Church. Thus ye see how we cry, even by the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto God his father, with full assurance that he knoweth and avoweth us for members of his son, by whose means he receiveth us into his heavenly kingdom, and setteth open the gate unto us, so as we have access unto him familiarly. And this is expressed yet better by the word Cry. S. Paul could well have said, we say: but he goeth further as need was. For (as I have touched heretofore) here he compareth the old fathers with us, and showeth that our state is better than theirs, because God hath showed himself more bountiful towards us, than he did towards them that were under the law. That is the cause why he sayeth that we in these days do cry out that God is our father, yea even with open mouth and full liberty, and that we come boldly to him, glorying that we be taken for his children.² True it is that the fathers under the law did also use the same manner of speech, as when they said, Lord what shall become of us if thou receive us not to mercy? Abraham knoweth us not, no more doth Jacob. We be borne of them as touching the flesh: howbeit, all this natural kindred is nothing in comparison of the spiritual kindred, whereinto thou hast ingrafted us in the person of thy son. Therefore thou art our father? After that manner did the whole Church pray unto God as Isaiah reporteth it. And there are many such texts. And out of doubt it had bin impossible for the fathers too have offered up good petitions and prayers unto God, without that ground: that is too wit, unless they had bin fully resolved, that God took them for his children. For that is the thing wherein the faithful differed from the Heathen and unbelievers in all ages.