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

For although Gods holy spirit dwell in us after he have drawn us to the knowledge of his Gospel and grafted us into the body of our Lord Jesus Christ: although (say I) that Gods spirit dwell in us: yet are we all comprehended under the word Flesh, in respect of that which we have of our own: S. Paul then giveth sentence here, that no flesh shall be justified, because ⟨p. 92⟩the faithless are condemned in Adam, and abide in their condemnation, and the faithful are always unperfect, so as they have many vices and blemishes: by means whereof they be condemned as well as the other, and so this condemnation is general, That he which will be justified by the works of the law, shall always be found guilty, yea even the holiest men that ever were. Let us take Abraham who was a mirror of all perfection: let us take David who excelled in all virtue:¹ Let us take Noah, Job, and Daniel who are reckoned up for three righteous men by the Prophet Ezekiel: and let us take such other like: and yet nevertheless, even they also are ranged in the same array, that is too wit, that they could not obtain righteousness before God, but by Grace. Now then I pray you what shall we do? must not the Devil needs drive them headlong into terrible pride, which at this day do stay still, that they may be justified by their own deserts or meritorious works as they term them? For who is he that can match either David, Noah, Abraham, or Daniel? Had not men need too have profited well in Gods school, and to be inflamed with a true zeal of giving themselves wholly unto him, that they may be utterly convicted, that they be yet very far of from being come to the point which we see David, Noah, and Daniel too have bin at • Forasmuch then as we know this: let us mark, that here the holy Ghost beateth down such as mount up too high, too the end we should be the more ashamed that we have not one drop of desert of glory: and seek all that pertaineth too our salvation, in the mere grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus ye see that this saying where Saint Paul avoweth that no flesh shall be justified, ought too be understood as though he had said▪ If men look upon themselves in their own nature, they shall find nothing but evil, notwithstanding all the fair shows that they can have.

For although Gods holy spirit dwell in vs after he haue drawen vs to the knowledge of his Gospell and greffed vs into the bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ: although (say I) that Gods spirit dwell in vs: yet are we al comprehended vnder the woorde Flesh, in respect of that which we haue of our owne: S. Paule then giueth sentence heere, that no flesh shall bee iustified, bycause