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

26 But the Jerusalem which is from above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, be glad thou barren which bearest ⟨image 244⟩no children, break forth and cry thou that travellest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she that hath a husband 28 And we my brethren, we be children of promise, after the manner of Isaac. 29 But like as then, he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the spirit: even so is it now. 30 Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. 31 So then brethren, we be not children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman.

26 But the Ierusalem vvhiche is from aboue is free, vvhich is the mother of vs all. 27 For it is vvritten, be glad thou barrein vvhich bearest ⟨image 244⟩no children, breake forth and crie thou that trauellest not: for the desolate hath many mo children than she that hath a husband 28 And vve my brethren, vve be children of promise, after the maner of Isaac. 29 But like as then, hee that vvas borne after the flesh persecuted him that vvas borne after the spirit: euen so is it novv. 30 Neuerthelesse, vvhat sayth the scripture? Cast out the bondvvoman and hir sonne: for the sonne of the bondwoman shal not be heire with the sonne of the free vvoman. 31 So then brethren, vve be not children of the bondvvoman, but of the free vvoman.

WE have seen this morning that many do boast themselves to be faithful, pretending falsely to be Gods children, & are so taken to the worldwarde, who notwithstanding are but bastards, and God disclaimeth them, because they have corrupted the good seed which is the pure doctrine, whereby we be begotten new again to be made partakers of the free adoption whereto God calleth us. Then all that we have to do, is not to be counted too be of the Church, except we be of the pure & sound seed, that is to say, except we follow Gods word without any corruption or mingling. And for this cause doth S. Paul bring us back too the heavenly Jerusalem, that we might know who is our mother. Truly to speak properly, such as pervert the natural sense of the scripture are not the children of God, and all their crying and calling upon him as their father, is but stark lying and hypocrisy. Howbeit forasmuch as they be taken to be of that degree: S. Paul discerneth them out by their mother, too the end we might know which are Gods true and lawful children and allowed of him. For the […] of the Church is oftentimes pretended