A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

Furthermore this argument of Paul would not stand if our strength would serve to fulfil the law: for straight way in the Minor there would be given an instance. Therefore either Paul doth reason foolishly, or else it is impossible for men to fulfil the law▪ by and by the adversary would catch hold & say, I grant, That all transgressors are accursed▪ but what than? there shall be found those that observe the law▪ for men have free choice of good and evil. But Paul doth put in this place out of controversy, that which the Papists at these days do account as an accursed opinion: (namely) that men should be destitute of strength to observe the law. And so boldly he concludeth that all are accursed, because it is commanded unto all to keep the lawfully and wholly. that is to say, because ability faileth them in this corruption of nature. Hereof we gather, in as much as the law accurseth, it doth it accidentally, but that accidental is perpetual, and cannot be separated (from us). for the corruption and faultiness of our nature doth separate us ⟨p. 64⟩from the blessing that the Law setteth forth unto us and therefore the curse only remaineth.

Furthermore this argument of Paule would not stande if our strength would serue to fulfill the law: for straight waye in the Minor there would be giuen an instance. Therfore either Paul doth reason foolishly, or else it is impossible for men to fulfil the law▪ by and by the aduersary would catch hold & say, I graunt, That all transgressors are accursed▪ but what than? there shall be found those that obserue the law▪ for men haue free choyse of good and euill. But Paule doth put in this place out of controuersie, that which the Papistes at these days doe account as an accursed opinion: (namelye) that men shoulde bee destitute of strength to obserue the law. And so boldly he concludeth that al are accursed, because it is commaunded vnto al to keepe the lawfully and wholly. that is to say, because abilitie fayleth them in this corruption of nature. Hereof wee gather, in as muche as the law accurseth, it doth it accidentlye, but that accidentall is perpetuall, and cannot bee seperated (from vs). for the corruption and faultinesse of our nature doth seperate vs