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

Now the Papists will grant well enough that we be not able to purchase salvation, except we be helped by our Lord Jesus Christ: howbeit they imagine that men may half save themselves, and that look what wanteth is supplied by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c so they suppose themselves to have a good & available starting hole. But in saying so, they show themselves deadly enemies of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and upholders of the case and quarrel of the false Apostles and deceivers that had corrupted, deflowered, and falsified the pure truth in the Church of Galatia. For those sort of men could well enough confess that Jesus Christ was the Savour of the world, ⟨image 129⟩and they would have bin ashamed too say that Jesus Christ was nothing, nay rather they professed Christianity. And what deemed they of Jesus Christ? That he came too help mens infirmities, because they were not able to discharge the law too the full, and that forasmuch as they could not have so great and large perfection as was requisite, therefore it behoved them too be helped by Jesus Christ: and even as much do the Papists say at this day. But S. Paul concludeth on the contrary part, that then Jesus Christ had died in vain. If any man reply, no not so: for there should come some fruit of his death and passion, by helping us too the forgiveness of our sins: and although we have means to satisfy God withal, yet would not the same suffice, unless Jesus Christ should work therewith. I say if any man make such reply: let us mark that S. Paul held this for a certain and undeceivable principle, that do the best we can, there is nothing but cursedness in us, till God have received us of his mere grace. Lo wherein the Papists beguile themselves, and not they only: for it hath bin a common error among the Turks and among all the Heathen men that ever were. The Turks can confess well enough that they have need of Gods mercy, & that hath always bin an opinion through the whole world: but they have intermingled their own satisfactions with Gods grace, as if they should say, although God be pitiful towards us, yet must we procure favour in his sight by our own deservings. After that manner were the Heathen folk wont too speak. And what say the Papists now adays? All one thing.

Now the Papistes will graunt well inough that wee bee not able to purchase saluation, except we bee helped by our Lorde Iesus Christ: howbeeit they imagin that men may halfe saue themselues, and that looke what wanteth is supplied by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, &c so they suppose thēselues to haue a good & auailable startinghole. But in saying so, they shew thēselues deadly enimies of the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, and vpholders of the cace and quarell of the false Apostles and deceyuers that had corrupted, defloured, and falsfied the pure truth in the Church of Galatia. For those sort of men coulde well inough confesse that Iesus Christ was the Sauour of the world,