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

but forasmuch as we be members of his body, he saith he is little in us in respect of the little knowledge of him which we have. And forasmuch as we proceed still further and further: he saith also that he groweth and is increased in us. Lo here a record of excellent goodness, yea of the infinite goodness of Gods son, in that it pleaseth him so to abase himself, as not only too have compassion and pity of our infirmities, too relieve them and remedy them: but also transformeth himself, and is contented too say that he is as it were unperfect, and as a little babe, and that he groweth greater and greater according too the continual increasing of our faith.¹ And here ye see also why in another place Saint Paul calleth the Church the fullness of God and of his son our Lord Jesus Christ. But surely if we imagine that God is not throughly full and perfect in himself, but that he hath need too borrow of us: it is rank traitorousness: for what are we able to give unto him? When he shall have gathered us all before ⟨image 235⟩him, what can he find in us but utter misery? For we be plunged, yea and utterly sopped in it. Yet notwithstanding he telleth us by the mouth of Saint Paul, that we be his accomplishment, and that in that respect he is after a sort imperfect. Not that he could not be without us. for he hath bin always everlastingly, before he had created the world. And although there were neither heaven nor earth, could not God be satisfied with himself? Were he nor rich enough of his own glory? Yes surely: but he will not be perfect nor fully satisfied till he have us knit in one with him. Thus ye see what we have to mark upon this text. And by this word Fashion we be warned, that it not enough for us to have some slight knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ: but that he must be so lively shaped in us to the full, as we may have such a print of his power, of all his graces, and of all his benefits graven in our harts, as may never be blotted out or defaced again. He said heretofore, that when the Gospel is preached with such efficacy as belongs unto it, Jesus Christ is after a sort crucified among us:

but for asmuch as we bee members of his body, hee sayth he is little in vs in respect of the little knowledge of hym whiche wee haue. And for asmuch as we proceede still further and further: he saith also that hee groweth and is increased in vs. Lo heere a record of excellent goodnesse, yea of the infinite goodnesse of Gods sonne, in that it pleaseth him so to abace himselfe, as not onely too haue compassion and pitie of our infirmities, too releeue them and remedie them: but also transformeth himselfe, and is contented too say that he is as it were vnperfect, and as a little babe, and that hee groweth greater and greater according too the continuall increasing of our fayth.