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

What is the cause then that we have need of so many laws and statutes? The naughtiness of men, because they cease not too rush out into all evil, and therefore remedy is fain to be provided for it: like as if there were no diseases, there should need no physic: but mens unruliness causeth diseases, and therefore remedies must needs be provided. So then seeing that men have need to be bridled and as it were restrained, it is a sure record that they are bent too all evil, and utterly froward of their own nature. But S. Paul meant not after that sort in his forementioned saying: He intended too pass further: namely that God purposed too bewray mens wickedness by means of the Law. And this reason is peremptory, too show that we be not able to purchase righteousness: for heat and cold come not both out of one spring. If a fountain be sweet, there is no seeking of bitterness in it: but clean contrariwise, if a fountain be bitter or brackish, sweet water must be sought for in another spring. Even so is it with the Law. And wherefore was it given? To prove men double guilty before God, that their hypocrisy might not stand them in any more stead, nor they have occasion to flatter themselves any more, or too shroud themselves under their vain excuses as they have bin wont too do. And that is the cause why S. Paul in the fourth too the Romans,¹ reasoneth that a man cannot be justified by the Law. For (sayeth he) the Law bringeth nothing but wrath. And by the word wrath he meaneth Gods vengeance. Life and death cannot come both of the Law, but in sundry respects. Now the Law is deathful unto all of us, so that it condemneth us and showeth us that we be all cursed and abominable before God: and therefore what a fondness is it to seek righteousness by it, as who should say that God ought to take us into his favour for the keeping of it? But he declareth this matter more familiarly in the .vii. to the Romans, ⟨p. 157⟩when he saith that by the Law sin becometh out of measure sinful.² For there is enough to condemn us though there were no law at all, according as it is said, that they which sin without law,³ shall perish without law, that is to wit, although the heathen folk had no instruction whereby to be rebuked: yet had they a record engraven in their consciences, which did find them guilty.