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

So then, if we could perform the law to the full, surely we should be righteous before God, and deserve salvation▪ howbeit not for any worthiness that should be in our selves, but by reason of the covenant that God hath made with us. For we see that all the desert which can be alleged on mans behalf, depē death wholly upon the said promise. And that is the cause why saint Paul saith always, the works of the law, the works of the law. For there are none other works that deserve to be accepted of God and to have any recompense. Therefore let that serve for one point. And we shall see hereafter, how we be utterly excluded from that righteousness▪ because we come short of it: and that God's telling of us that we shall be saved by keeping of the law, is all one as if he had said, that we be all of us damned. And why? For there is not any man that dischargeth himself of it, but all of us are transgressors. Ye see then that the law can bring us nothing but death, by reason of our infirmity. But this shall be laid forth more at length in his order▪ It is enough for this time that we know how Saint Pauls setting down of this doctrine, is against the Jews which boasted themselves and were puffed up with pride, as though God had bin bound ⟨p. 83⟩unto them for their observing of the Ceremonies of the law. No no, (saith he) it is nothing worth: and we shall see the reason of it afterward. Furthermore S. Pauls debating of the case of Ceremonies, is because these hypocrites which took upon them to match themselves with God, and too have the praise of their salvation themselves, did always busy their heads about small trifles, and came not to the chief point, which is to enter into their own con sciences. Like as at this day in the Popedom, they that do so much preach their own merits, and say that we must purchase Paradise by our own works, and that although we be sinners, yet we have a way to discharge ourselves to Godward by satisfactions: what allege they? When those great Rabbins go about to set men after that manner upon the stage to be honoured as Idols, and when they have made their great prefaces of free will, of their own virtues, of their satisfactions, and of their merits or deservings: what bring they?

So then, if we could performe the law to the full, surely we should be righteous before God, and deserue saluation howbeit not for any worthinesse that should be in our selues, but by reason of the couenant that God hath made with vs. For we see that all the desert which can be alledged on mannes behalfe, depē deth wholly vpon the said promis. And that is the cause why sainct Paule saith always, the works of the law, the works of the law. For there are none other workes that deserue to be accepted of God and to haue any recompence. Therefore let that serue for one point. And we shall see heereafter, how we be vtterly excluded frō that righteousnesse bycause we come short of it: and that Goddes telling of vs that we shall be saued by keeping of the lawe, is all one as if hee had sayde, that we be all of vs damned. And why? For there is not any manne that dischargeth himselfe of it, but all of vs are transgressers. Ye see then that the lawe can bryng vs nothyng but deathe, by reason of our infirmitie. But thys shall bee layde foorth more at length in his order It is ynough for thys tyme that we knowe how Sainct Paules setting downe of thys doctrine, is agaynst the Iewes which boasted themselues and were puffed up with pride, as though God had bin bounde