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

Stand therefore in the liberty.) After he had said they were the children of the freewoman, now he admonisheth them how great the valour of this liberty is, that they contemn it not as a thing little worth. And certainly it is an inestimable good thing, for which it becometh us to fight unto the death, neither is he in hand here about fires ⟨p. 114⟩only but also about alters too. Because many at these days do not way this, they do condemn us that we be too earnest, whiles they see us to sharply, and with so great contention avouch the liberty of Faith against the Tyranny of the Pope, in outward things. By this pretence also, the adversaries stir us up ill will among the unlearned, as though we seek nothing else but licentiousness, which is a setting loose of all Discipline. But they that are wise and skilful know, that this is one of the principal points in the doctrine of salvation. For here we deal not about this, Whether you may eat this meat or that meat, whether you make this day holy, or let it alone: (as many men do foolishly suppose, and some men do slanderously report) but what is lawful for thee to do before God, what is necessary to salvation, and what it is wickedness to leave undone. to be brief, it is a contention about the estate of the conscience, when we come before the tribunal seat of God. Finally Paul in this place meaneth the liberty from the ceremonies of the Law, the observing whereof the false Apostles did exact as a thing necessary. But withal the readers must remember, that that manner of liberty is but a part only of that liberty, which Christ hath purchased unto us. For how small a thing were it, if he had only delivered us from the ceremonies? This custom therefore springeth out of a deeper fountain: namely in that he was made a curse, that he might redeem us from the curse of the Law, (above in the third chapter verse 13). because he hath abrogated the force of the Law, as far forth as it hold us endangered by the judgement of God, under the guiltiness of eternal death: to conclude because he hath set us at liberty from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death, so under one kind, is the whole comprehended: whereof I will speak in the Epistle to the Colossians. Furthermore Christ hath purchased liberty unto us in the Cross:

STand therefore in the libertie.) After he had sayde they were the children of the frewoman, now he admonisheth thē how great the valure of this libertye is, yt they contēne it not as a thing little worth. And certainly it is an inestimable good thing, for which it becōmeth vs to fight vnto the death, neither is he in hand here about fires