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

it were too be concluded thereupon, that all of us are condemned by the Law, and therefore that it standeth us in hand to seek our righteousness else where, that is to wit, in the mere mercy of God. Now then we see how S. Paul showeth us, that all such as have any vain trust in their own merits, are rank traitors too God, and make war against him. For he doth as it were drag them forth by the ⟨image 154⟩hear of their heads, and show them the distress wherein they be, and what a stubbornness is it if they will not come unto him? Must not the devil needs have dulled them? We see then that S. Pauls meaning here, was too drive men too seek their righteousness and salvation in the only grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: for without that, the other should never befall us, because we always surmise some value to be in our selves, and that self-estimation or overweening doth so blind us, that we can not glorify God in his righteousness by keeping our own mouths shut till we be convicted, as we see in this text. Furthermore let us mark, that S. Paul hath taken here a principle which the Papists cannot find in their hearts too agree unto▪ For among other things, they say, cursed and banned be he which shall say that God hath commanded us more than we are able to do. They excommunicate and accurse all such as are of opinion, that the righteousness of the Law overreacheth all the ability of man. For it seemeth to them, that God ought not too command us any impossibility, & that either we must have wherewith too perform the Law, or else the Law should be too no purpose. So do they think, and so do they say: but the holy Ghost saith the flat contrary: for God is not bound to fashion himself to our ability. It becometh us to regard what we our selves ought to do. Who is he that dare step up, and say that he ought not to love God with all his hart? For seeing that we be his, is it not reason that we should be wholly dedicated unto him? Ye see then that we be indebted unto him of the perfect love which he requireth. Again, if we talk of our own strength, it is not too be said that we be able to discharge our selves of our duty, as in respect of the love which we owe unto our God.

it were too be concluded therevpon, that all of vs are condemned by the Lawe, and therfore that it standeth vs in hand to seeke our rightuousnesse else where, that is to wit, in the mere mercie of God. Now then wee see howe S. Paule sheweth vs, that all such as haue any vaine trust in their owne merites, are ranke traytors too God, and make warre agaynst hym. For he dooth as it were dragge them foorth by the