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

21 Of which I tell you before.) With this so sharp a telling he meant not only to terrify the Galatians, but also after a sort to gird at the false apostles, who, setting apart this doctrine that was far more profitable, contended and jangled about ceremonies. And yet withal he also teacheth us by his example, to continue in these exhortations and threatenings, according to that in Isaiah Cap. 58.1. Cry and cease not, tell my people their wickedness, For what can be spoken more horribly, than that they, whatsoever they be, that walk after the flesh are banished from the kingdom of God? who dare imagine now that these vices be light and small, Objection. which God so greatly doeth abhor? But thus it seemeth that the hope of salvation is cut off from all men. for who is it in the world, that is not cumbered with some of these vices? I answer, Answer. that Paul doth not threaten unto all men that have sinned, the casting out of the kingdom of God, but unto them that continue sinners without repentance. The Saints also otherwhile are grievously troubled, but they return into the way again: and therefore are they not reckoned in this beadroll: because they cocker not themselves. To be brief, all the threatenings of Gods judgements call us to repentance, unto which there is pardon alway ready with God: but they shall be a witness against us if we remain obstinate. For the word, possess, is used in Paul this greek word [Greek or Hebrew] which is to obtain ⟨p. 132⟩by right of inheritance. Neither yet do we obtain everlasting life, by any other right, but by the right of adoption: as else where is seen.

21 Of which I tell you before.) With this so sharpe a telling hee meant not onely to terrifie the Galathians, but also after a sorte to girde at the false apostles, who, setting aparte this doctrine that was farre more profitable, contended and iangled about ceremonies. And yet withall he also teacheth vs by his example, to continue in these exhortaions and threatninges, according to that in Esaye Cap. 58.1. Cry and cease not, tel my people their wickednesse, For what can be spoken more horribly, than that they, whatsoeuer they be, that walke after the flesh are banished from the kingdome of God? who dare imagine now that these vices bee light and small, Obiection. whiche God so greatly doeth abhorre? But thus it seemeth that the hope of saluation is cut off from all men. for who is it in the world, that is not combred with some of these vices? I aunswere, Aunswer. that Paule doth not threaten vnto all men that haue sinned, the casting out of the kingdome of God, but vnto them that continue sinners without repentaunce. The Saints also otherwhile are greeuously troubled, but they returne into the waye agayne: and therefore are they not reckoned in this beadroll: because they cocker not themselues. To be breefe, all the threatninges of Gods iudgements call vs to repentaunce, vnto which ther is pardon alwaye readie with God: but they shal be a witnesse against vs if wee remayne obstinate. For the worde, possesse, is vsed in Paule this greeke worde which is to obtayne