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 shoulde de all of us be choked with the filthiness of the air, all the corruption whereof is cleansed away by the shining of the Sun. Then like as men may reason upon contraries in the order of nature: so the Apostle sayeth that we cannot be justified both by the law, and by the free favour of God: that is too say, if we be well liked at Gods hand, our coming into his favour must be through his own freebestowed goodness, because he loveth us in our Lord Jesus Christ, and not for any worthiness that can be in our selves. Howbeit, for the better understanding of this doctrine. Let us mark well how it is told us here, that the righteousness of the law is the fulfilling of God's commandments. And hereby it might seem to us that the doctrine of the law were sufficient to save us, forasmuch as God having rehearsed the ten commandments that are contained in the law, hath finally told us that that is the thing whereby we should live, the thing whereby we should direct our life, the infallible rule, and that we must not seek any other perfection of righteousness than that. And that is the very matter wherein we strive so much against the Papists, because that whereas God requireth obedience, they think to do him as good seruis with the things that are of their own devising. Wherefore let us mark that the full perfection of all holiness is contained in the Law. Yea verily as in respect of doctrine. For it is not lawful to add any thing to it, and men do but overlabour themselves in vain, when they bring in I wot not what devotions of their own devising. But it is not enough for us that the doctrine of the law doth sufficiently show us what righteousness is: we come too this point also, namely whither we be able to do the things that God hath enjoined us. I told you this morning, that we come far short of ⟨p. 135⟩that. And so the promise of the law is nothing to our behoof, and the Papists do foully overshoot themselves in that behalf. For they hold still this fantastical opinion, that God hath not commanded any thing which we be not able to perform. But we see the clean contrary by Saint Paul. To confirm their error, they allege, that then God mocketh men, in telling them that he which doeth those things shall live in them. But this knot is easy too be untied.

we shoulde de all of vs be choked with the filthinesse of the aire, all the corruption whereof is clenzed away by the shyning of the Sunne. Then like as men may reason vppon contraries in the order of nature: so the Apostle sayeth that wee cannot bee iustified both by the law, and by the free fauour of God: that is too say, if we bee well lyked at Gods hand, our comming into his fauour must be through his owne freebestowed goodnesse, bycause hee loueth vs in oure Lord Iesus Christ, and not for any worthynesse that can be in our selues. Howbeit, for the better vnderstanding of this doctrine. Let vs mark well how it is told vs heere, that the ryghteousnesse of the law is the fulfilling of Goddes commaundementes. And heereby it myght seeme to vs that the doctrine of the law were sufficient to saue vs, for asmuch as God hauing rehersed the ten commaundements that are conteyned in the law, hath finally tolde vs that that is the thing whereby we shoulde liue, the thing whereby wee shoulde direct our lyfe, the infallible rule, and that wee must not seeke anie other perfection of righteousnesse than that. And that is the very matter wherein we stryue so muche against the Papistes, bycause that whereas God requireth obedience, they thinke to do him as good seruis with the things that are of their owne deuizing. VVherefore let vs marke that the full perfection of all holinesse is conteyned in the Lawe. Yea verely as in respect of doctrine. For it is not lawfull to adde any thyng to it, and men do but ouerlabour themselues in vayne, when they bryng in I wote not what deuotious of their owne deuyzing. But it is not ynough for vs that the doctrine of the lawe dothe sufficientlye shewe vs what ryghtuousenesse is: wee come too thys poynt also, namely whither wee be able to do the thynges that God hathe enioyned vs. I tolde you thys morning, that wee come farre short of