Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

For, he saith, that there is this righteousness in the law, when as it sayeth, Whosoever shall do all these things, shall live by them. For, this is most true, that if we be able to fulfil all the commandments of God, so that our life be in such sort ruled as that it is without spot or wrinkle, God hath promised to receive us as righteous, that we shall be very sure of our reward, and ⟨p. 136⟩not miss of it.

For, he sayth, that there is this righteousnesse in the lawe, when as it sayeth, Whosoeuer shall doe all these thinges, shal liue by them. For, this is most true, that if wee be able to fulfill all the commaundementes of God, so that our life be in such sort ruled as that it is without spot or wrinckle, God hath promised to receyue vs as righteous, that wee shall be verie sure of our rewarde, and ⟨p. 136⟩not misse of it.

Mark then the certainty that is in the law: but tell me who it is that doeth all that the law commandeth? Surely we go altogether backward, and a man would thinks (as I have beforesaid) that we would go about even to set our selves against God Thus we see that the gate of the righteousness of the law is quite shut up against us, and that there remaineth nothing else for us, but the very curse of God. But in the Gospel, it is said, behold, the word is in thine heart, and in thy mouth. But how? forsooth, after thi• sort▪ S. Paul speaketh of it, and saith,¹ That if we will have the word in our hearts and mouths, we must come unto Jesus Christ: because it is he which writeth and imprinteth the doctrine of salvation by his holy spirit: with which doctrine we have had our ears beaten unprofitably and in vain. And therefore since our Lord Jesus Christ putteth his word in our hearts, let •• beseech him to grant us this grace as that we may have a pure and free affection, to the end we might seek in him whatsoever is wanting in us. Thus we see how we shall be justified by his knowledge: for it is out of all doubt that we are no way able to bring any satisfaction of our own with us which may please God, and to make this account, as to say, we have deserved, O Lord, that thou shouldest receive us: but we should rather say, we confess, O Lord, that we are miserable sinners, bound over so thy judgement, and it is impossible for us to make satisfaction thereto, so that we must needs acknowledge that there is no sufficiency in any but in Jesus Christ alone to make satisfaction for the same.