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

and yet notwithstanding he had gathered together a small number of them, and those are called the remnant of the free election. For which cause the Prophet Isaiah saith, that such as are redeemed and unfeignedly returned unto God,¹ to rule their life obediently after his word, are the children of the Church. And here we have to note by the way, that the Church triumpheth not in this world, neither shineth with so gay and stately pomp, that men might be ravished at the only sight of it, so as they should submit themselves unto it: but that it is most commonly forsaken, & as it were disfigured, and that is a point well worthy to be marked.² For whereas the Papists brag that they have the Church on their side: how are they able to do that? They must needs bring some evidence. But they allege not aught save their riches, their authority, and the great pomp and bravery that is among them: but those are not the things that God will have his Church known by. For we know that our Lord Jesus Christ will reign here in the thickest of his enemies, insomuch that the lesson which he taught his disciples must always be verified upon us, that is to wit, we shall be forsaken and despised of the world, men shall blear out their tongues at us, and we shall be so troubled and vexed here, as we may not seek for any peace or rest here. Now then, whensoever any man talketh too us of the Church, let us bethink us well of the thing that Saint Paul telleth us here. For ⟨p. 224⟩he likeneth the Church to a widow, which is all alone in her house and hath neither succour nor help. The world forsakes her, no man makes account of her, she is as good as half dead and buried already. Nevertheless God saith that she shall be set afloat again, and that she shall have more children than she that is married and is in credit and reputation. This lesson must we (I say) put in ure nowadays when we see the poor Church so trodden under foot, and the enemies thereof in such pride or rather madness, that they set up their crests and triumph over us, as though we were no better than dust and smoke. When we see such things, let us wait patiently till God gather together those whom he hath chosen: and let it content us that he avoweth us for his children, though the world disdain us, and shake us off after that sort.