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

So then if our Lord Jesus Christ do by the light of his Gospel bewray the spiritual diseases that were in us, and the filthy uncleanness which is loathly before God, and shameful before men, and do purge us quite and clean thereof: ought he to be charged with any blame or reproach for his labour? What an unthankfulness were that? therefore here is a sufficient answer to beat back the blasphemies and grudgings of the enemies of the Gospel, which burst for pride and cannot endure to be tamed. Let them allege what they can too prove that they have some righteousness and holiness: and yet shall it always be found that there is nothing but uncleanness in them, which they wist not of, and yet it showeth it self continually. Mark that for one point. And secondly Saint Paul addeth a more large and easy declaration, when he saith, that he is dead too the lawwarde by the law it self: and that he was crucified with Jesus Christ, to live unto God. Now when as he saith that he was dead to the lawwarde by the law: it is in way of mocking such as pretend too be justified by keeping of the law. For I have told you already how all his disputing and striving was against such kind of folk. They were but deceivers which went about to mingle Jesus Christ with ⟨p. 97⟩the law of Moses, yea even too get righteousness. For it is certain that our Lord Jesus Christ is not contrary too the law, but rather his Gospel taketh witness of the law, as it is showed in the first chapter too the Romans.¹ Nevertheless, when the matter concerneth Justification, that is too say, when men come too scanning, too know how and by what means God taketh and accepteth them for innocent, pure, and without spot, then must the law be separated from Jesus Christ. And why? For the law bringeth nothing in it but cursing: and Jesus Christ bringeth the remedy of it. Therefore the enemies of the Gospel against whom S. Paul doth now dispute, would have mingled the law with it, and have made men believe, that although they were justified by our Lord Jesus Christ, yet notwithstanding they should mingle the Ceremonies with him as a part of their salvation, and that by means of them they should purchase grace & favour before God. But S.

So then if our Lorde Iesus Christ do by the light of his Gospell bewray the spirituall diseases that were in vs, and the filthie vnclennesse which is lothly before God, and shamefull before men, and do purge vs quite and cleane thereof: ought he to be charged with any blame or reproch for his labour? VVhat an vnthankfulnesse were that? therefore heere is a sufficient answere to beate backe the blasphemies and grudgings of the enimies of the Gospell, which burst for pride and cannot indure to be tamed. Let them alledge what they can too proue that they haue some righteousnesse and holinesse: and yet shall it alwayes bee founde that there is nothing but vncleannesse in them, which they wyst not of, and yet it sheweth it selfe cōtinually. Marke that for one poynt. And secondly Saint Paule addeth a more large and easie declaration, when hee sayth, that he is dead too the lawwarde by the lawe it selfe: and that he was crucified with Iesus Christ, to liue vnto God. Nowe when as he sayth that he was dead to the lawwarde by the lawe: it is in way of mocking suche as pretende too bee iustified by keeping of the lawe. For I haue told you alreadie how all his disputing and stryuing was agaynst such kinde of folke. They were but deceyuers which went about to mingle Iesus Christ with