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

We have seen already, that to beat down all the pride and selftrust which men put in their own works and merits, Paul alleged that the Jews who had great preferment above other men, could not for all that come in Gods favour, otherwise than by believing the Gospel. Yet notwithstanding it was a good likelihood that the Jews had some righteousness in themselves wherewith too win Gods favour, because the law was given to them, ⟨p. 94⟩with promise that whosoever performed those things should live in them.¹ Therefore a man would have judged, that the Jews even in respect of themselves alone without Christ, might after a sort have bin justified before God: otherwise it should seem that the law was superfluous. But when they come too our Lord Jesus Christ, there they perceive themselves to be wretched sinners, forlorn, and damned. It should seem then, that Jesus Christ bringeth sin: for before his coming, the Jews were reckoned for Gods children.² They bare the badge of holiness in their bodies, & moreover it was said unto them, that they were the holy and chosen people of their God. Now then seeing they become fellowlike with wretched sinners, and there is nothing but cursedness to be found in them, so as they be fain to flee for refuge to the mere grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: it seemeth that Jesus Christ brought sin into the world. Truly so will men judge of him after their own opinion, howbeit foolishly. For it behoveth us to mark, that our Lord Jesus Christ doth not bring sin, but bewray sin. For although the Jews exercised themselves in the keeping of the law: yet did that serve but to prove unto them still more and more, that God would never show them mercy, but by the mean of the Redeemer. No doubt but that in living chastely & soberly, & therewithal in walking in obedience to god, they had some show of righteousness: but that came wholly of grace, and we must not father that thing upon men, which belongeth unto God, for by that means God should be defrauded of his honour. Then if the Jews being governed by Gods spirit, had some willingness and desire to lead a holy life: it must not come in account, as who should say, that God were beholden to them for it: for contrariwise they be so much the more bound unto God.

WEe haue seene alreadie, that to beate downe all the pryde and selftrust which men put in their owne workes and merites, Paule alledged that the Iewes who had great preferment aboue other men, could not for all that come in Gods fauour, otherwise than by beleeuing the Gospell. Yet notwithstanding it was a good likelyhood that the Iewes had some righteousnesse in themselues wherwith too winne Gods fauour, bicause the lawe was giuen to them,