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 the Hebrew tongue was not so pure after the captivity of Babylon as it was before, but was mingled with the Chaldee tongue. Howbeit Saint Pauls meaning here, is to show that under the Gospel all men in common ought to call upon God with open mouth, because his adoption was offered to all Nations, and the wall was broken down which divided the Jews and Gentiles asunder, so that henceforth he will have us to be equal and in like state. Ye see then that we may call upon God in all languages, as it were with one mouth, and we must not doubt but that God receiveth us and giveth us leave to press unto him, inasmuch as we have the doctrine of the Gospel to lead us, which is an infallible guide for us.

For the Hebrewe tongue was not so pure after the captiuitie of Babilō as it was before, but was mingled with the Chaldey tongue. Howbeeit Saint Paules meening heere, is to shewe that vnder the Gospell all men in common ought to cal vppon God with open mouth, bicause his adoption was offered to all Nations, and the wall was broken downe which deuided the Iewes and Gentiles asunder, so that henceforth he will haue vs to be equall and in lyke state. Ye see then that wee may call vpon God in all languages, as it were with one mouth, and we must not doubt but that God receiueth vs and giueth vs leaue to preace vnto him, inasmuch as we haue the doctrine of the Gospell to leade vs, which is an infallible guide for vs.

Now by this means we see that every mans praying unto God ought to be with understanding. For if a man that understandeth no more but his own mother tongue, should pray unto God in Greek or Hebrew, surely it were but a dalliance, and an utter perverting and marring of the rule of praying aright, and there could be nothing but hypocrisy and feigned devotion in it. I have told you already that we cannot pray unto God without faith, too be sure that he will here us. And what a thing is it if we know not what we have to ask at his hand? Is it not a defiling of so holy a thing as prayer is? We know that to call upon God, and too flee to him alone for succour, is the Sacrifice that he requireth at our hands, because that therein we confess him to be our father, and the very wellspring of all welfare. Now then it is meet that we should resort unto him which is the rewarder, according as the Apostle saith in the .xj. to the Hebrews,