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

and his grace cannot be darkened by us, but that we be bereft of it as we are worthy. And therein it appeareth, that all such as trust in their own merits, are still full of pride, and as it were mortal enemies to Gods glory. It is true that they will not profess it with their mouths: but yet for all that, the hypocrites which hope to be righteous by their own worthiness, do deck themselves with Gods feathers. Humility is the principal virtue among all others. For what are all their merits? Contrariwise, when the faithful humble themselves, it is not to purchase grace in Gods sight as though they were worthy of it: but to confess as truth is, that they have not aught whereof too boast, but must receive all things of Gods mere liberality. At leastwise it serveth to make us acknowledge how greatly we be bound unto him, seeing he hath showed himself so kind towards us, as to spare nothing from us. That therefore is the thing that Saint Paul showeth us here. And it behoveth us to weigh well the second point where he saith, that we live in the flesh, howbeit by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. This word live in the flesh, doth in this text signify as much as to be a wayfarer here upon earth, and too pass through this transitory life.¹ For when he speaketh of living in the flesh in the eight to the Romans, he meaneth to be given to wicked lusts, as they be which have no fear of God, who give themselves to do what they list. Therefore such as follow their own swing like brute beasts, do live in the flesh. But in this place saint Paul compareth this outward life with the heavenly life which we possess by faith. For how shall a man put a difference between the faithful and the faithless? As well the one sort as the other do eat and drink. Surely the faithful do eat and drink soberly. Yea and ye shall see of the faithless sort very well stayed, and not given to any drunkenness or excess. But howsoever they fare, a man would deem at the first sight, that this life is common to all men. Nevertheless, the faithful do oftentimes drag their wings after them, and nothing else but droop in this world, and finally dye as well as all other men. Then if a man look but upon the outward show, there is no diversity betwixt them. To be short, a man ⟨image 124⟩might say it is but lost labour to believe in Jesus Christ.

and his grace cannot be darkned by vs, but that we be bereft of it as we are worthy. And therein it appeereth, that all such as trust in their owne merits, are still full of pride, and as it were mortall enimies to Gods glory. It is true that they will not professe it with their mouthes: but yet for all that, the hypocrites which hope to be righteous by their owne worthinesse, do decke themselues with Gods fethers. Humilitie is the principall vertue among all others. For what are all their merites? Contrariwise, when the faithfull humble themselues, it is not to purchace grace in Gods sight as though they were worthy of it: but to confesse as truth is, that they haue not aught whereof too boast, but must receiue all things of Gods meere liberalitie. At leastwise it serueth to make vs acknowledge how greatly wee bee bound vnto him, seing he hath shewed himself so kind towards vs, as to spare nothing from vs. That therefore is the thing that Sainct Paule sheweth vs heere. And it behoueth vs to wey well the second point where he saith, that we liue in the flesh, howbeit by the faith of our Lord Iesus Christ. This word liue in the flesh, doth in this text signifie as much as to be a wayfarer heere vpon earth, and too passe through this transitorie life.