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

he maketh a comparison between faith and the Law, to show that we can not be justified by grace, except we forsake all our own merits: and that is a thing well worthy too be marked. For the Papists will well enough confess that we be justified by faith, howbeit they add that it is but partly. But that gloss marreth all. For here it is proved that we can not be found righteous before God, but by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by resting upon the salvation which he hath purchased for us. The Papists see this well enough: and therefore for fashion sake, they say we be justified by faith, but not by faith only: they will none of that. That is the thing that they fight against: and it is the chief point that is in controversy betwixt them and us. But S. Paul bewrayeth here their beastliness, when he saith, but by belief. For that word betokeneth that all that ever men presume to bring unto God to win his favour with, is quite cut off. Ye see then that the door is shut against all deserving, when S. Paul avoucheth, that there is none other mean than by faith. We shall see more plainly hereafter why faith is so compared with the law, as a thing full but against it. For the law presupposeth that if we have once fulfilled Gods commandments, we shall be taken for good servants, and that he will pay us the wages which he hath promised: and faith presupposeth us to be wretched, damned, & forlorn folk, and that we must be fain to seek the things that we want in Jesus Christ. As for example. There are two men that desire to be boarded and lodged: whereof the one bringeth money with him, and looks to be well entertained for his well paying: and both of them require meat & drink howsoever the case standeth, but the second man is poor, & hath neither penny nor pennies worth, ⟨image 109⟩and he desireth alms. Thus do both twain of them match just in one point, for they desire food as the thing whereof they have both need. But the first hath money to content his host, and like as he shall have fared well, and bin well and courteously entertained: so shall his host receive money of him, and hold him self contented with it, and not think his guest beholden or bound unto him: For why, he is recompensed, yea and he hath gained by him.

he maketh a comparison betweene fayth and the Lawe, to shewe that wee can not bee iustified by grace, excepte wee forsake all our owne merites: and that is a thing well worthy too bee marked. For the Papistes will well inoughe confesse that wee bee iustifyed by faythe, howebeit they adde that it is but partely. But that glose marreth all. For heere it is proued that wee can not bee founde righteous before God, but by the meanes of our Lorde Iesus Christe, and by resting vpon the saluation which he hathe purchased for vs. The Papists see this well inough: and therefore for fashion sake, they say we be iustified by fayth, but not by fayth onely: they will none of that. That is the thing that they fighte agaynst: and it is the chiefe poynte that is in controuersie betwixte them and vs. But S. Paule bewrayeth heere their beastlynesse, when he sayth, but by beleefe. For that word betokeneth that all that euer men presume to bring vnto God to winne his fauour with, is quite cut off. Yee see then that the doore is shut agaynst all deseruing, when S. Paule auoucheth, that there is none other meane than by fayth. VVee shall see more playnly hereafter why fayth is so compared with the law, as a thing ful but agaynst it. For the lawe presupposeth that if wee haue once fulfilled Gods commaundements, we shall be taken for good seruants, and that he wil pay vs the wages which he hath promised: and faith presupposeth vs to be wretched, dāned, & forlorne folke, and that we must be fayne to seeke the things that we wante in Iesus Christ. As for example. There are two men that desire to bee boorded and lodged: whereof the one bringeth money with him, and lookes to be wel interteined for his wel paying: and both of them require meate & drinke howsoeuer the cace standeth, but the second man is poore, & hath neither penny nor pennies worth,