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

15 We be Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles. 16 And yet for as much as we know that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by belief ⟨p. 86⟩in Jesus Christ, we also have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, & not by the works of the law: for no flesh shall be justified by the works of the law.

15 VVee bee Ievves by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles. 16 And yet for as much as vve knovv that a man is not iustified by the vvorks of the lavv, but by beleefe ⟨p. 86⟩in Iesus Christe, vvee also haue beleeued in Iesus Christ, that vve might be iustified by the faith of Iesus Christ, & not by the vvorks of the lavv: for no flesh shal be iustified by the vvorkes of the lavve.

WE have seen already and declared heretofore, why S. Paul having to treat of the Ceremonies and shadows that were before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, concluded generally that men could not attain righteousness before God to stand in his favour, but by keeping the whole law. Now a man might deem at the first sight, that these were divers matters. Howbeit (as I have said afore) it behoved Paul to come to the pure use [of ceremonies] to show that men do but beguile them selves, when they think to obtain favour at Gods hand by their own merits. Secondly, also I declared why S. Paul doth expressly add the word Law. For although it have always bin a common opinion in the world, that by living well men might bind God to be good unto them, yet did they foully deceive them selves therein. For do what we can, God shall not be any whit at all beholden unto us, because we owe unto him what soever we be able to do. Then is there not any desert (if there might be any deserving at all) but by the covenant which God hath made,¹ in saying, that he which fulfilleth the law shall obtain life and salvation. For as much as God hath spoken that word, no doubt but he accepteth the obedience that is yielded unto him, as if it deserved salvation: but yet is not that as much too say as that we can deserve ought. For there is none of us all that dischargeth his duty, as we shall see hereafter. That promise would be too no purpose, or at least wise it would be unavailable, so as it should never take effect, unless God gave us another remedy, that is too wit, unless he forgave our offences, and accepted us for righteous, although we be not so. But how so ever the case stand, when S. Paul saith that we be not justified by the works of the Law, his meaning is, that if we intend too