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

Secondly it is showed us that we can not be partakers of any of Gods gifts, nor of his holy spirit, but by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ, according as I have told you already, that we must all draw of his fullness, for he is the only fountain that is able too suffice us. And if we seek never so far about elsewhere, we shall find nothing but drythe, and we shall continue a thirst still: and if we think too fill our selves, it will be but windiness and misweening, wherewith we shall burst, and yet not gather any good nourishment or substance. Now hereupon Saint Paul concludeth, that if we live after the spirit, we should also walk after the spirit. And it is a more easy declaration of the thing that I have touched already. It had been enough too have avouched that we can not be set free, but by crucifying all our wicked lusts: how be it for as […] […] Hypocrisy is so great, that they do always find ••a•ting holes, and […]man would be esteemed as an Angel, though his life be out of order: therefore Saint Paul intended for a confirmation too add this saying▪ that if we live after ⟨image 302⟩the spirit, we must therewithal walk after the spirit. As if he should say, that it is not enough for men too protest them selves to have Gods spirit dwelling in their heart: but they must show that he is there: for he is not idle. Therefore if a man will discern whether Gods spirit dwell in us or no, he must come to our works and to our life: and according as our conversation is, so may he see what we be, and what is within us, and give judgement by our outward works that are apparent. As for example, if one would bear me in hand that a block were a living a man too see too: It stirreth neither head nor foot: thrust at it, and shove at it, and yet there appeareth no life in it: and shall he then make me believe that a piece of stone removeth from place too place, or hath any power in it, or is a creature that hath a soul? Even so is it with those that boast them selves to be spiritual. For although the unbelievers and enemies of God be alive as in respect of the body: yet are they dead in respect of the heavenly life, because their soul is utterly corrupted: but we live to Godward through the grace of his holy spirit. And if this grace be in us, it can not be idle, as I said afore.

Secondly it is shewed vs that wee can not be partakers of any of Gods giftes, nor of his holy spirite, but by the meanes of our Lorde Iesus Christ, according as I haue tolde you alreadie, that wee must all drawe of his fulnesse, for he is the onely fountayne that is able too suffice vs. And if wee seeke neuer so farre aboute elsewhere, wee shall finde nothing but drythe, and wee shall continue a thirst styll: and if wee thinke too fill our selues, it will bee but wyndinesse and misweening, wherewith wee shall burste, and yet not gather any good nourishment or substance. Nowe heerevppon Sainct Paule concludeth, that if wee liue after the spirite, wee shoulde also walke after the spirite. And it is a more easie declaration of the thing that I haue touched alreadie. It had beene inough too haue auouched that wee can not bee set free, but by crucifying all oure wicked lustes: howe bee it for as Hypocrisie is so great, that they doo alwayes finde ating holes, and man would bee esteemed as an Angell, though his life bee out of order: therefore Sainct Paule intended for a confirmation too adde this saying that if wee liue after