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

he knew there was nothing able to bring him to life, save the only mercy of God: To be short, like as Abraham had no regard but of Gods mere mercy: so God had no regard but only of Abraham's faith: and by that ⟨p. 130⟩means was he justified. So then let us leave all things that men imagine to bring them selves in favour with God by mingling this and that with faith: for they are all but falsehoods and illusions of Satan: and let faith have such foundation as this: that is too wit, that with all humility we acknowledge our selves to be then righteous, when God forgiveth us our sins, and that by the same means our works also are reckoned for good and righteous, because God listeth not to sift them narrowly, but taketh them in good worth of his fatherly goodness. Thus ye see what we have too gather upon that text. Now, that the blessedness of Abraham belongeth unto us, and is meant unto us, it appeareth by that which I have touched already, and by that S. Paul avoucheth, that all nati• once should be blessed in Abraham. And now remaineth too see the reason that S. Paul addeth on the contrary part. For men by their good wills can never find in their harts too give over the opinion which they have of their own righteousness, except they be compelled and enforced too it. For although we be sopped in so many vices as is ugly to behold: yet the worst and deepest rooted vice in our nature is pride or presumptuousness, which is a self-willed weening that there is somewhat in us: in so much that although God tell us that we be right nought, and that there is nothing in us but lewdness, filthiness, and uncleanness, and that all the virtue which we dream upon is but vanity & leasing: yet can he not compass to humble us, till we our selves perceive our own need, and have it proved to our faces. And therefore it behoveth us to mark well the reason which S. Paul addeth here to draw us to the pure faith, and to turn us away from all the vain trusts which we can have in our own deservings. All they (saith he) that are of the law are accursed. For it is written, Cursed be he that continueth not in all the things that are written and contained in this book, too do them. When as S. Paul saith that all they which are of the law are cursed:

he knewe there was nothing able to bring him to lyfe, saue the onely mercy of God: To bee short, like as Abraham had no regarde but of Gods meere mercie: so God had no regarde but onely of Abrahams fayth: and by that ⟨p. 130⟩