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

Behold, Jerusalem is called Gods holy city, his royal palace, his house, and the place of his abode: all these titles are given ⟨p. 218⟩it in the holy Scripture.¹ And yet notwithstanding S. Paul sayeth that she is become like Sinai a barren hill in a desert and elendge place, and out of the bounds of the holy land which God calleth his resting place and the heritage of his faithful and chosen. Seeing there was such a change in the City of Jerusalem, which had bin chosen of God and honoured with so many goodly and excellent titles: what shall become of all such people as do now adays refuse the doctrine of the Gospel? Although they were exalted to the like honour, yet could God well enough make them to tumble into all reproach. We see what is said of all those Cities where our Lord Jesus Christ had preached the Gospel:² as of Capernaum and the rest. For they might have boasted of their having of the message of salvation first afore all others, and of Christs being conversant among them rather than at Jerusalem. But he sayeth, thou shalt be cast down to the bottom of hell: and that was because they were stubborn & maliciously wilful, in disdaining to receive the grace that was preached unto them. Yea & we see what Jeremiah sayeth of Silo.³ Because the Jews boasted so much of their town of Jerusalem, under the colour of the Temple and the altar: Go your ways to Silo (sayeth he): was not the Ark placed there a long time? did not men resort thither from all coasts to worship God? did they not offer sacrifices there? And what see ye now? a terrible token of Gods vengeance, because they had not profited themselves by the benefit that was offered to them first of all. Now therefore let us apply this to our own instruction, that whensoever God shall have bin so gracious to us, as to make his abode among us, & as it were to plant his royal siege with us too reign over us, we may walk in fear & wariness, endeavouring on our side to obey him, & to shroud our selves soberly & advisedly under his wings. For if we think to hold him bound unto us, & thereupon presume to be wilful in our own conceit, & unhallow the gracious gifts which he had dedicated to our salvation: surely such lewdness shall not abide unpunished.