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 that would make us too shun Gods presence, and to go about too estrange our selves from him for ever, insomuch that we would fain have him plucked out of his seat, that he might no more be our judge, if we were not well persuaded that he will be pitiful to us, and that we shall not be disappointed of our expectation in seeking of him: according as it is said in the Psalm, that there must be mercy in God too draw men unto him,¹ or else they will never be brought too stand in awe of him. For as for all the fear of the unbelievers, it is but a terror that dismayeth them, making them too gnash their teeth against God, and to fret and chafe and play the mad men. And such enforced fear hath no reverence at all in […] But when we have once ⟨image 224⟩tasted the goodness of our God, and see how all his seeking is too be at one with us, and too have us come unto him without feigning, yea and that his touching of our hearts is too the intent we should conceive sure confidence, and thereupon offer our selves too his Majesty, assuring our selves that we ought not too be afraid of it, seeing it is the thing whereunto he calleth us: I say, when we be thus assured, namely that our sins are wiped out: then may we be bold too press unto our God, and that is the order which Saint Paul keepeth here, and which it behoveth us too keep in all our rebukings. In that place then he did beat down the Galatians, because they exalted themselves, and did as it were set up their bristles against God, through their lustiness. And now he reacheth them his hand, and lifteth them up again, and telleth them that after they have once felt and perceived their faults, they must not yet for all that think themselves utterly shut out from God, and from all hope of salvation. But this cannot be done except we have a carefulness too draw sinners too salvation. For many men will be vehement enough, and they shall have just cause so too do: but yet in the mean while their rigorousness will be so excessive, as it shall shut up mens hearts, and make them take such stomach against the bitterness that is used towards them, that they shall cast themselves utterly out of order, yea and conceive a hatred against God and his word. Howbeit, they that are so oversharp will say they have just cause.

for that woulde make vs too shunne Gods presence, and to go aboute too estraunge our selues from him for euer, insomuch that wee woulde fayne haue him plucked out of his seate, that he might no more bee our iudge, if wee were not well persuaded that hee will bee pityfull to vs, and that wee shall not bee disappoynted of our expectation in seeking of him: according as it is sayde in the Psalme, that there muste bee mercie in God too drawe men vntoo him,