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 know that forasmuch ⟨p. 128⟩as God is righteous, he cannot agree with sin, but must needs always hate it. Then sith the case standeth so: if we intend to have his favour, we must needs be first cleansed of our offences. For so long as they come to reckoning, God must needs hate us, and curse us. But contrariwise when he wipeth away all our sins, then receiveth he us to mercy. And by that means do we begin to be blessed of him. Are we then blessed, that is to say, be loved of God? Verily we are therewithal justified also: that is to say, whereas there was nothing but sin in us, God maketh us partners of the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all the obedience that he yielded is conveyed over unto us. As for example: If I owe a sum of money, and another pay it for me, although I lay out nothing out of mine own purse, yet am I quit. I had not wherewith to pay, but I found one that discharged me. Even so is it with us: who being destitute of righteousness, have Jesus Christ for our surety, and he hath satisfied God his father for us. By means whereof our sins are quite wiped out, so as they come not any more to account or remembrance before God, and therefore we be justified or blessed, that is to say, where as God must heretofore have held us as accursed and damnable, now he holdeth us for his children. And herein also we see the fondness of the Papists, who cannot find in their hearts to be persuaded that we be justified by faith, because that (too their seeming) faith is not so excellent a virtue as some other are. For a man shall not be perceived to do much in holding himself too Gods promises, and in resting upon them. Men will say, very well such a one is a wretched sinner, and knoweth that he had need in deed to be succoured by Gods goodness, and that is the cause why he resteth thereupon. But the man whose conversation bears a goodly show, & is magnified every where, shall be counted the rightuouser. As for example, if a man be liberal and deal freely of his goods, and also show himself well disposed in all other parts of his life, such a one shall be counted more excellent than a believer.¹ Besides this, they do also allege S. Pauls saying in another place, how that Charity is above Faith and Hope. Yea truly: but the question is not here, whether of them is the greater, higher, or nobler virtue.

VVe knowe that forasmuch ⟨p. 128⟩