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

Now when we come into the world, we grow by nourishment of milk, and from time too time become stronger, so as at length we feed no more upon milk, but use substantialler food, whereby we gather force and strength more and more, till we come to mans state. Now then, what a thing were it if after we have bin made new creatures by means of the Gospel, we will needs hang still upon the dug, and have so little prospered, that we must still be lulled in arms, and be not able too swallow a piece of bread, but will needs be still muzzling at the teat? Doth this proceed of the nature of the Gospel? No surely: and therefore we must acknowledge the fault to be in ourselves.

Now when we come into the world, we grow by nurrishment of milke, and from time too time become stronger, so as at length wee feede no more vppon milke, but vse substantialler foode, whereby we gather force and strength more and more, till we come to mans state. Now then, what a thing were it if after wee haue bin made new creatures by meanes of the Gospell, wee will needes hang still vppon the dugge, and haue so little prospered, that wee must still bee lulled in armes, and bee not able too swallowe a peece of bread, but will needes bee still muzzling at the teate? Doth thys proceede of the nature of the Gospell? No surely: and therefore wee must acknowledge the fault to be in ourselues.

So then whereas Saint Paul calleth the Galatians little babes, although he do therein show an earnest love towards them: yet doth he sting them also, according also as we see how the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews saith:¹ How now? You ought to be great Clerks considering the long time that you have gone to school: for this is not the first day that the Gospel hath bin preached unto you, and yet you be still at your apcie: and what a shame is that? For God hath done the office of a good schoolmaster towards you and taught you sufficiently: and you on your part have played the truants: and so what will now become of you? For S. Paul had long time bin delivered of the Galatians in Jesus Christ, and they ought to have bin grown strong in the faith of the Gospel. But behold, they be still novices & raw scholars, yea & so brutish as they wot not whereunto to icke, nor what to follow. That is the