Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

Now Saint Paul having spoken after that manner, addeth for a larger confirmation of his matter, that they which are circumcised, and which preach circumcision, keep not the Law: but only seek too glory in the flesh of those whom they bring too that Jewish fashion. In this Text Saint Paul doth again accuse his adversaries of double dealing and utter hypocrisy. Why so? Circumcision was the mark of the same thing before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereof Baptism is the mark unto us at this day. For the Jews had record [thereby] that they were sanctified by God as his heritage. But yet for all that, they that mingled Circumcision with the Gospel, were utterly of opinion that the Law of Moses was to be observed, forasmuch as it was given of God, & that it was not at any time to be abolished. Here then ye see that the covert which they took, was that Circumcision served for a sign of the keeping of the whole Law. But now S. Paul layeth to their charge that they keep not the Law: and therefore they do but mock God & men in making a countenance by an outward sign, to do the thing which they do not: for it is clean contrary. Now then we see S. Pauls meaning. And as touching this speech of keeping the Law, it is sometimes taken for the doing or performing of all that is contained in the Law. But no man can keep the Law, that is to say, no man can discharge himself throughly of all things that the law commandeth. For it is not for nought that it is called an intolerable burden. Also we see our own infirmity,¹ and there God showeth us an angelical righteousness. How then is it possible for us to attain unto it? So then, if we take the word Law for a perfect and faultless obedience, no man keepeth it in effect. Nevertheless the fayth••• being guided and governed by Gods spirit, do keep the Law, that is to say, they walk according to the rule that is given them there. ⟨image 340⟩Not that they run so swiftly as they should do, nor that they attain to the mark at the first brunt: but yet they go on still towards it, and God beareth with them, and layeth not their faults too their charge. The faithful then do keep the Law. But here S.

Nowe Sainct Paule hauing spoken after that maner, addeth for a larger confyrmation of his matter, that they whiche are circumcyzed, and whiche preache circumcizion, keepe not the Lawe: but onely seeke too glorie in the fleshe of those whome they bring too that Iewishe fashion. In thys Text Saint Paule dooth ageine accuse his aduersaries of double dealing and vtter hypocrisie. VVhy so? Circumcision was the marke of the same thing before the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christ, whereof Baptisme is the marke vntoo vs at this day. For the Iewes had recorde [thereby] that they were sanctified by God as his heritage. But yet for all that, they that mingled Circumcizion with the Gospell, were vtterly of opinion that the Lawe of Moyses was to be obserued, forasmuch as it was giuen of God, & that it was not at any time to be abolished. Heere then yee see that the couert which they tooke, was that Circumcizion serued for a signe of the keeping of the whole Law. But now S. Paule layeth to their charge that they kepe not the Law: and therfore they do but mock God & men in making a countenance by an outward signe, to do the thing which they do not: for it is clene cōtrarie. Now thē we see S. Paules meening. And as touching this spech of keeping the Law, it is sometimes takē for the doing or performing of all that is cōteyned in the Lawe. But no man can keepe the Lawe, that is to say, no man can discharge himselfe throughly of all things that the law cōmandeth. For it is not for nought that it is called an intollerable burthen. Also we see our owne infirmitie,