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

Ye see then that the faith whereby we obtain grace, is that after we once know our selves to be wretched creatures, and that there is ⟨p. 91⟩nothing but loth somnesse in us, we seek the remedy of it in our Lord Jesus Christ, and understand that he was offered up for us to redeem us from the curse wherein we were plunged, that he hath made us clean by his blood, that by his obedience he hath put away all our offences, and that for the same we be assured that God accepteth and receiveth us for his children. Thus ye see how this text is to be understood. And whereas S. Paul sayeth, that he himself and all the Jews that were converted unto Christianity, did look too be saved by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ: he addeth also the reason why: namely, because no flesh shall be justified by the works of the Law. He had well used that word, if he had applied it but to his own countrymen: but here he speaketh of all men in general. And whereas he sayeth no flesh at all: first he betokeneth that the Jews differ nothing at all from the Gentiles in the mean of obtaining salvation. Wherefore although the Jews being circumcised, were taken as it were for Gods heritage, and sanctified unto him: yet not withstanding they could not have any hope of salvation, but by his mere grace. Lo how they be matched with the Gentiles and ranged in like degree with them. Again, S. Paul meant here to deface utterly all the over weening that men conceive of their own virtues. There are many which know they have overshot themselves so far, that they cannot challenge any glory too them as though they had deserved aught at Gods hand. Wretched drunkards, unthrifts, and such as have given themselves over to all naughtiness, will be ashamed to advance themselves, and too brag that they can bind God by their deserts and well doings, for even before men they be fain too hide themselves because of their lewdness. But as for those that have some cloak of hypocrisy, and show some sign of holiness before men: they by & by become drunken with it, & so harden themselves, that they believe they deserve Paradise, and that God is greatly bound unto them. Of which suit are these Popeholy ones, who although they be full of all filthiness, so as there is nothing in them but ambition, covetousness, cruelty, and such other like things:

Yee see then that the fayth whereby wee obtayne grace, is that after we once know our selues to be wretched creatures, and that there is ⟨p. 91⟩