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

let us consider the promise that is given us. For when there is any controversy among men, either for buying or selling or for any other like thing: they will say here is the Indenture, let it be looked upon, I report me too that which is contained in it. As soon as the deed is read, the case appeareth plain: and the seller will say, the ownership [of this thing] is thine, but yet upon condition that thou have payed for it. If thou have not paid, thou hast nothing to do with it. Ye see then that when we fall to scanning for the inheritance of salvation, we must resort to the chief and original deed or Indenture, that God made between himself and us. Now, that deed or Indenture is the Law. Therefore if men will needs be payed their wages according too their service, they shall find themselves rather to be banished from the everlasting life, than to come any thing near it. God may say to them that if they perform all that is commanded them, the heritage of salvation is ready for them. But now remaineth to be seen whether any man can perform all or no. I have showed you already that no man is able to do it: and so are we every one of us shut quite out of the doors. The Papists consider not that: but when they hear it said that he which doth those things shall live in them: they bear themselves in hand, that that there is no more doubt of the doing thereof: it is enough that God saith the word. In deed God speaketh the word, but he requireth the performance of it at our hands. After the same manner also do they take this text of Saint Pauls where he saith,¹ not the hearers of the law, but the doers of it shall be justified. The Papists allege that saying, howbeit but to pick out their own eyes withal. For S. Paul pro•eth thereby that we cannot be justified but by performing all that is commanded us. The Jews boasted that the Law was given unto them, saying: Tush, we have the Law whereby it is told us that we be Gods people. Yea, but it is with condition. And where is [the performance of] that condition? VVill it be found in you? No. But S. Paul saith that we become not righteous by hearing of the ⟨image 160⟩Law. For it were a fond matter if we should come to Church too here what is told us, and every man return home to do what he listeth himself. It behoveth us to perform whatsoever God commandeth us:

let vs consider the promise that is giuen vs. For when there is any controuersie among men, either for bying or selling or for any other like thing: they will say here is the Indenture, let it bee looked vpon, I report me too that which is conteyned in it. As soone as the deed is read, the cace appeareth plaine: and the seller will say, the ownership [of this thing] is thine, but yet vpon condition that thou haue payed for it. If thou haue not payd, thou hast nothing to do with it. Ye see then that whē we fall to scanning for the inheritance of saluation, we must resort to the cheefe and originall deed or Indenture, that God made betweene himselfe and vs. Nowe, that deed or Indenture is the Law. Therefore if men will needes bee payed theyr wages according too their seruice, they shall finde themselues rather to be banished from the euerlasting life, than to come any thing neere it. God may say to them that if they performe al that is commaunded them, the heritage of saluation is readie for them. But nowe remayneth to bee seene whether any man can performe all or no. I haue shewed you alreadie that no man is able to doo it: and so are wee euerie one of vs shet quite out of the doores. The Papists consider not that: but when they heare it sayde that hee which doth those things shal liue in them: they beare themselues in hand, that that there is no more doubt of the doing thereof: it is ynough that God saith the worde. In deede God speaketh the worde, but hee requireth the performance of it at our handes. After the same maner also do they take this text of Saint Paules where he sayth,