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

For else (say they) Gods promising that he which doth those things shall live in them, is in vain. But they like wretched beasts (as I said afore,) consider not that God sayeth it not to show that men are able to purchase salvation by their own deserts: but rather to hold them convicted, and to bring them to true humility, which they shun continually through their foolish overweening and vain gloriousness. Now then we see that Pauls meaning is in effect, that if we go about to be justified by the law and by our own works, we must not leave any thing behind nor forget any thing: for it is said, he that doth all those things shall live in them. But now where is that man which is so forward, that he can boast of the full discharging of his duty towards God? None but hypocrites that are besotted in their own devilish pride, or heathenish folk that scorn God and never were moved to true repentance, but have always had their consciences asleep or rather bewitched: none (say I) but such folks do think themselves to deserve aught, and they beguile themselves. Then seeing that the righteousness of the law is shut away from us, and we be utterly barred from it: it behoveth us to go to another righteousness, which is, that God take us into his favour of his own free goodness, and in stead of receiving any thing of our bringing, give us that thing for our payment which is none of ours, that is to wit, the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, by delivering us from the condemnation wherein we were plunged, that is to wit by putting away all our offences and sins. As much is said of it in another place, where Saint Paul treateth excellently well of the doctrine which we have here.¹ For he doth also set down the righteousness of the law. And it is a wonder that the Papists have bin and yet still are so dulled, that they consider not the warning that S. Paul giveth here, being so fair and clear as it is. For it is always at their tongues end to say, what? that were a mocking out of all that God hath promised, concerning the recompense that he will veld to good works. And seeing he hath so ⟨p. 137⟩often said that we shall be recompensed: must he not needs discharge his promise? For else men might accuse him of untruth. But Saint Paul telleth them always thus: my friends, if we think to stand in Gods favour for our own deserts:

For else (say they) Gods promising that he whiche doth those things shall liue in them, is in vayne. But they like wretched beastes (as I sayd afore,) consider not that God sayeth it not to shew that men are able to purchace saluation by their owne deserts: but rather to hold them conuicted, and to bring them to true humilitie, which they shunne continually through their foolish ouerweening and vain gloriousnesse. Now then we see that Paules meening is in effect, that if we go about to be iustified by the law and by our own works, we must not leaue any thing behynd nor forget any thing: for it is sayd, he that doth all those things shall liue in them. But now where is that mā which is so forward, that he can boast of the full discharging of his dutie towards God? None but hipocrities that are besotted in their owne diuelish pride, or heathenish folke that skorne God and neuer were moued to true repentance, but haue alwayes had their consciences asleepe or rather bewitched: none (say I) but such folks do thinke themselues to deserue aught, and they beguyle themselues. Then seing that the righteousnesse of the law is shut away from vs, and we be vtterly barred from it: it behoueth vs to go to another ryghtuousnesse, which is, that God take vs into his fauour of his owne free goodnesse, and in sted of receyuing any thing of our bringing, giue vs that thing for our paiment which is none of ours, that is to wit, the obedience of oure Lord Iesus Christ, by deliuering vs from the condemnation wherein we were plunged, that is to wit by putting away all our offences and sinnes. As much is said of it in another place, where Sainct Paul treateth excellently well of the doctrine which we haue heere.