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

in so much that he useth the word Jealousy,¹ to show that he will so possess us, as we may belong unto him wholly and not in part. Then if we will play on both sides, & row between two streams: there will be nothing but feigning and hypocrisy in us. But there ought to be a substantial soundness in us. And therefore S. Paul saith not simply, if we be beguiled by Satan, & forsake the Gospel quite and clean: but, if we swerve from the simplicity of it. As for example, the Galatians (as I have showed already) had not renounced Jesus Christ nor denied their baptism (for they professed to hold the Gospel still) but they had mingled it, and that marred all: a little Leaven soureth a whole lump of dowe. Even so when men will needs add I wot not what of their own brain to Gods truth, it marreth all. For let a man put a little vinegar, or some other slabersauce into a cup of the best wine in the world, and he were better to drink sheer water. In like case is it when men will turkin the true Religion, as all they do which take upon them too invent I wot not what of their own head. Surely it were much better that they had never known any more at all, but grossly that there is a God: than too have been trained up in the good doctrine of the Gospel, and afterward too falsify all, and too disfigure ⟨p. 195⟩our Lord Jesus Christ after that sort. Ye see then how it is a thing that can not be borne withal: and that is it which we have to mark in the first place. Secondly, S. Paul showeth that the calling of the Galatians to the Gospel, came not of their own proper motion, nor through their own furthering of the matter: but of God, who had sought them out when they were wandering and straying wretches. And this is not spoken for them alone: for we know how the Prophet Isaiah speaketh after the same manner generally of all such as should be partakers of the salvation that is purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ,² saying: I was found of them that sought me not, and I showed my self to such as inquired not after me: and unto such as made none account of me, I said, Lo here I am, here I am. See how God magnifieth his grace, to the intent that men should not be so far overseen, as to think that they attain to faith by their own wisdom.

in so muche that he vseth the worde Ielosie,