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

We have seen heretofore whereabouts the doctrine of Saint Paul strove: that is to wit, about his abolishing of the Ceremonies of the law. Now, they that strove against him had colour fair enough, saying that the law was given of God, and that it was not lawful to alter any part of it, seeing that God was the Author of it. But they should have considered to what end the Ceremonies were given to the people of old time. True it is that like as God is unchangeable, so his word also endureth steadfast for ever: but yet doth it not follow thereupon, that God should not appoint men the things which he knoweth to be meet for them. Therefore the Ceremonies were ordained for a time, too serve the necessity of the Jews. Also there was this respect which I have touched: that before the coming of Jesus Christ, it was requisite that there should be certain shadows too bring the faithful more further forward, that is, that they might be confirmed in the hope of the redeemer that was promised them. And thereupon we may well gather, that Gods enjoining of the Ceremonies, was not too ⟨p. 71⟩the end they should continue for ever, and stand always in their full and perfect state: but to the intent they should continue for a time, to serve to keep that people in the hope that was given them of the things which we now have in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the very body and substance of the shadows that were in the time of the law. Ye see then to what point we must come. And yet cannot a man argue, that God is variable as some fantastical persons do, who have alleged the same reason. For shall we say that God changeth his purpose, because he maketh Summer and Winter? We see the sundry seasons of the year, we see the earth wax green, and the trees bud flowers, and afterward bring forth fruit, and we see all things as good as dead in the Winter time: All this variety cometh surely of God: but yet doth it not therefore follow, that he changeth his nature.

WEe haue seene heretofore whereaboutes the doctrine of Saint Paule stroue: that is to wit, about his abolishing of the Ceremonies of the lawe. Now, they that stroue agaynst him had colour fayre ynough, saying that the lawe was giuen of God, and that it was not lawfull to alter any part of it, seeing that God was the Authour of it. But they shoulde haue considered to what ende the Ceremonies were giuen to the people of olde time. True it is that like as God is vnchaungeable, so his worde also indureth stedfast for euer: but yet doth it not follow therevpon, that God should not appoynt men the things which he knoweth to be meete for thē. Therfore the Ceremonies were ordeyned for a tyme, too serue the necessitie of the Iewes. Also there was this respect which I haue touched: that before the comming of Iesus Christ, it was requisite that there shoulde bee certaine shadowes too bring the faythfull more further forwarde, that is, that they might be confirmed in the hope of the redeemer that was promised them. And therevpon wee may well gather, that Gods inioyning of the Ceremonies, was not too