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

Therefore we may conclude that such as have bin nearest unto God, and too whom he hath communicated himself most familiarly, shall be shaken off as strangers, if they abide not in the pureness [of the truth] which is the unseparable band whereby we be made one with our God. But surely we see that now adays, the pure doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ is not only shaken off, trodden under foot, despised, & scorned at Rome: but also cruelly persecuted with fire & ••ord, & finally that there is no religion ⟨p. 219⟩at all there. For that place is so full of filth and lewdness, that if a man go thither, it is a wonder that ever he should return with any fear of God or with any good seed in him. We see then that it is as a dungeon of hell: and would God that they which have bin there had rather broken their necks, than lifted up a foot to go thither. For we see presently, that the country of France hath bin infected with all ungodliness by it, so that the most part of them are become no better than hogs and dogs, having less religion in them than brute beasts. But yet (as I have touched heretofore) we be warned hereby too walk in fear and wariness, and too take good heed that we be not bereft & deprived of the benefit which we have received, if we abuse it, least God pour out his horrible wrath upon us, and we become as a mirror and pattern of reproach after the manner of Jerusalem, which S. Paul doth here set upon the scaffold, not withstanding that it had bin so highly honoured before. Furthermore let us mark, that under the figure of Abraham, God doth here show himself a father too all his: and so ye see we be begotten of God, so as we have room in his Church. But yet is it not enough for us too call upon God as our father, except we be rightly begotten again by the incorruptible seed, which is unto us as a pledge of everlasting life and salvation. If it be asked, how then is it possible that we should be begotten of God, and yet notwithstanding be as it were a bastard seed? The answer is, that we by our own vice and naughtiness do mar Gods seed which is his word: for so is it named by S. Peter.¹ But it is certain that in respect that the word proceedeth from God it containeth in it self nothing but all goodness.

Therefore wee may conclude that suche as haue bin neerest vntoo God, and too whome he hath communicated himselfe moste familiarly, shall bee shaken off as straungers, if they abyde not in the purenesse [of the truth] which is the vnseparable bande whereby wee bee made one with our God. But surely wee see that now adayes, the pure doctrine of our Lord Iesus Christ is not onely shaken off, troden vnder foote, despyzed, & skorned at Rome: but also cruelly persecuted with fire & ord, & finally that there is no religion