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

Again, to the intent he may no more be an enemy and take part against us which are sinners, he must be fain to look upon our Lord Jesus Christ, and upon his righteousness, that the same may do away all ⟨p. 129⟩our offences. Now S. Paul saith here, that we can not be blessed but with faithful Abraham. As if he should say that Abraham though he were never so holy a man, brought nothing of his own with him when he obtained righteousness before God. Faith (as I have said already) doth utterly bereave a man of all the worthiness which he supposeth himself to have. Seeing that Abraham had none other help than faith: it followeth that he renounced all his own works, as which in very deed were nothing worth. Then sith it is so, let us learn to leave such mingling, which bringeth nothing but corruption before God: and let us be contented that we be allowed at Gods hand if he find us faithful. If a man pose us, and say, had Abraham's virtues no favour in Gods sight? It is easy too answer, that Abraham of his own nature had nothing but all manner of iniquity. He had bin a castaway, if God had not plucked him out of the dungeon wherein he was sunken, according as he him self showeth in the last chapter of Joshua.¹ Consider (saith he to the Jews) from whence I took your father Abraham. Did not his fathers serve Idols? Then did I pluck him out of the bottom of hell. So, Abraham had not aught whereof to boast. For he could not have done any good, if God had not prevented him with his grace. But now after that God had given Abraham so great and excellent virtues, that he is become as a pattern of all holiness: yet were not those virtues able too justify him, for there was always some fault too be found in him, either more or less. Let a man enforce him self as much as in possible too obey God: and yet shall he always go limping. Now there can not be so little a fault nor so small a blemish in our works, but the same is enough to make them foul and loathsome before God. Thus all Abraham's virtues, if they had bin examined straitly, could not have brought him ought but damnation. As much is too be said of David, and of all others. Besides this, when we fall too scanning whether God love us, and acknowledge us for his children:

Again, to the intent he may no more be an enimie and take part agaynst vs which are sinners, he must be faine to looke vpon our Lorde Iesus Christ, and vpon his rightuousnesse, that the same may doo away all