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

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law in that he was made accursed for us: (for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on tree) 14 To the end that the blessedness of Abraham should come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the spirit by faith.

13 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the lavve in that he vvas made accursed for vs: (for it is vvritten, Cursed is euery one that hāgeth on tree) 14 To the end that the blissednesse of Abraham should come vpō the Gentiles through Iesus Christ, that we might receiue the promis of the spirit by faith.

We have seen already, that if we hope not to be saved by some other means than by discharging our duty, we should all of us be accursed, because we be all guilty before God [in that we are found] too have transgressed and done amiss many ways. For there was never yet any of the holiest men so perfect, but that there was always some blemish, yea and store of infirmities in him. Therefore it is to be concluded, that if God should call us too account, we should be all damned and forlorn. Lo in what plight men be, though they set never so much store by themselves. But now it standeth us on hand, too have some means too scape this cursedness. Else what shall it avail us to have our ears beaten daily with Gods word? For his will shall serve but to plunge us still deeper in eternal death. To the end therefore that Gods word may be profitable too us and available to our salvation: it lieth us upon to get us out of the said sentence of damnation, which is given and proclaimed upon all mankind. And Saint Paul showeth us here the mean, namely that Christ hath redeemed us, even by becoming accursed for us. He showeth us that our Lord Jesus Christ was not hanged upon tree in vain: for he was fain too bear the cursedness of all such as were too be called, too salvation. Ye see we are all accursed, as I have declared already: and therefore was our Lord fain too receive in his person, the thing that was due unto us. Now it was written in the Law of Moses, ⟨p. 142⟩Cursed shall he be hangeth on tree.