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

When we hear that the Law doeth nothing avail to bring righteousness, by and by divers cogitations come in our brains: either than that it is unprofitable, or to no use, or contrary to the Covenant of GOD, or some such like thing. yea rather that might come in mind: Why should we not say that of the Law, which Jeremiah chap. 31. ver. 31. hath said of the new Testament, that the latter was given to correct the weakness of the former doctrine. Such Objections as these be, must Paul answer, if he would satisfy the Galatians. First than he requireth what the use of the Law is. for in as much as it followed the promise, it seemeth that it ought to supply that which was wanting in it: and certainly it was doubted hereof, whether that the promise by it self were of none effect except it were holpen of the Law. We must mark that Paul speaketh not only of the moral law, but of the whole Ministry of Moses. which truly was proper to Moses. and that was to prescribe a rule how to live, and Ceremonies whereby they might exercise themselves in the service of GOD, and after that to join promises and threatenings. And whereas many promises of Gods free mercy and of Christ are included therein, which belong unto faith: that happeneth accidentally as it were, and is taken from else where, as far forth as the Law is compared with the Doctrine of grace. You must therefore bear in memory, that this is the sum of the Question, Why, after the promise being made, doth Moses steppe in with that new covenant. He that doth these things shall live in them. Deut. 4.1. Cursed is he that fulfilleth not all things. Deut. 27.26. doth he it that he might bring that which were better and perfecter?

When wee heare that the Lawe doeth nothing auayle to bring righteousnesse, by and by diuers cogitations come in oure braynes: eyther than that it is vnprofitable, or to no vse, or contrarye to the Couenaunt of GOD, or some such like thing. yea rather that mighte come in mynde: Why shoulde we not saye that of the Lawe, which Ieremie chap. 31. ver. 31. hath sayde of the newe Testament, that the latter was giuen to correcte the weakenesse of the former doctrine. Such Obiections as these bee, must Paule aunswere, if hee woulde satisfie the Galathians. Fyrste than hee requireth what the vse of the Lawe is. for in as muche as it followed the promise, it seemeth that it oughte to supplye that which was wanting in it: and certaynely it was doubted hereof, whether that the promise by it selfe were of none effecte excepte it were holpen of the Lawe. We must marke that Paule speaketh not onely of the morall lawe, but of the whole Ministerie of Moses. whiche truelye was proper to Moses. and that was to prescribe a rule howe to liue, and Ceremonies whereby they might excercise themselues in the seruice of GOD, and after that to ioyne promises and threatninges. And whereas manye promises of Gods free mercye and of Christ are included therein, which belong vnto fayth: that happeneth accidentally as it were, and is taken from else where, as farre forth as the Lawe is compared with the Doctrine of grace. You must therefore beare in memorie, that this is the summe of the Questyon, Why, after the promise being made, doth Moses steppe in with that new couenaunt. He that doth these thinges shall liue in them.