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

as we rather have cause too glorify him the more for it.¹ And for proof thereof, our Lord Jesus Christ (as sayeth S. Paul) committed no robbery when he showed himself in his infinite glory. And yet notwithstanding he abased himself willing, and not only clothed himself with our nature, and became a passible man: but also submitted himself to a death that was both shameful before men, yea and accursed before God. Then must it needs be that we were very deer unto him, seeing he yielded himself too such extremity for our redemption. If we could taste the meaning hereof: surely we would give our selves wholly too the magnifying of that grace, which cannot be sufficiently expressed by words, and surpasseth all wisdom of man. Seeing therefore that we comprehend it not, nor can utter the hundredth part of it: let us yet be as it were astonished at it in considering so much of it as we be able too comprehend. But here we see still the lewdness and frowardness of men, in that whereas S. Paul sayeth that our Lord Jesus ⟨p. 143⟩Christ became accursed for us, it passeth and slippeth away from us. Yea and there are some so lewd, that they take occasion of stumbling and of flinging out of the way, and of estranging themselves quite and clean from the Church, when they hear this manner of our redeeming set afore us. What (say they) was it of necessity that the son of God who is the fountain of all goodness and ought too make us all holy, should be cursed? It seemeth too them that God in so doing meant too pervert all order and reason. But (as I have declared already) it is certain that God condemneth mens unkindness, by bringing them to such a kind of foolishness, because they came not too him by wisdom when he showed them that way. Neverthe later howsoever the case stand, needs must our wits shrink and our reason be utterly confounded, so as we may honour Gods secretes and wonder at them though they be hidden from us. And again, whensoever it is said unto us that the son of God became accursed for us: it would become us to enter into the examination of our sins. In so doing we shall perceive how loathly we be before God, till our sins and offences be washed away by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Had all the Angels of heaven undertaken for us, it had bin no sufficient bail.

as wee rather haue cause too glorifie him the more for it.¹