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

Ye see then that men are sufficiently worthy to be condemned though God go not up into his judgement seat, nor city them, nor examine them, howbeit that such as sin and offend against God, charge not themselves with their faults. For we be so given to selfsoothing; that every of us weltereth and sleepeth in his own filth, insomuch that till the law touch us too the quick, our consciences are as it were benumbed, and to be short, every man dispenseth with himself, and taketh leave too do evil. But when the Law steppeth forth, then is sin known, and every man spite of his teeth, must be fain to stoop before God, or else gnash his teeth at him as a rebel. Nevertheless God gathereth us too him by the law, by bringing us to the knowledge of our cursedness. To be short, it is all one as if a man had his face all berayed: every man might mock at him, but he himself should not see it. But if one bring him a glass, he is ashamed of himself, and hides his face, and goes his way too wash his face when he sees it so disfigured with filthiness. Or if a man be so ill favoured that he maketh folk afraid with his look: he thinketh not that that fault cometh of his own person, till he have a looking glass set before him. Even so is it with us. For though all of us be sopped in wickedness and sin, insomuch that heaven and earth are ashamed of us, and God prepareth horrible condemnation for us: yet cease we not too keep on our race and to be reckless still. And why so? For our sinfulness is unknown to us; and hypocrisy doth so blindfold our eyes, that we perceive not our own cursedness. But the Law showeth us what we be, and therewithal setteth Gods judgement before us. For on the one side it saith, ye shall do all these things under pain of cursing. And what manner of things are they? it is not enough for us to abstain only in respect of our feet, hands, eyes, and ears: but we must be pure and clear from all lusting: there must be such an uncorruptnesse ⟨image 180⟩in us, that all our senses, thoughts, and affections must aim at God, so as no enticements of this world may hold us back. And where is this to be found? Besides this, behold, God being set as a Judge in his seat, hath already given sentence of cursedness upon us as soon as we be found too be transgressors as we be.

Ye see then that men are sufficiently worthy to be condemned though God go not vp into his iudgement seate, nor cyte them, nor examin them, howbeeit that such as sinne and offende agaynst God, charge not themselues with their faults. For we be so giuē to selfsoothing; that euerie of vs weltereth and sleepeth in his owne filth, insomuch that till the lawe touch vs too the quicke, our consciences are as it were benummed, and to be short, euerie man dispenseth with himselfe, and taketh leaue too doo euill. But when the Lawe steppeth forth, then is sinne knowne, and euerie man spite of his teeth, must be faine to stoupe before God, or else gnashe his teeth at him as a rebell. Neuerthelesse God gathereth vs too him by the lawe, by bringing vs to the knowledge of our cursednesse. To be short, it is al one as if a man had his face all berayed: euery man might mocke at him, but he himselfe should not see it. But if one bring him a glasse, he is ashamed of himselfe, and hydes his face, and goes his way too wash his face when hee sees it so disfigured with filthinesse. Or if a man be so yll fauoured that he maketh folke afrayd with his looke: he thinketh not that that fault commeth of his owne person, till he haue a looking glasse set before him. Euen so is it with vs. For though all of vs be saped in wickednesse and sinne, insomuch that heauen and earth are ashamed of vs, and God prepareth horrible condemnation for vs: yet ceasse we not too keepe on our race and to be retchlesse still. And why so? For our sinfulnesse is vnknowne to vs; and hypocrisie doth so blindfolde our eyes, that we perceyue not our owne cursednesse. But the Lawe sheweth vs what we bee, and therewithall setteth Gods iudgemēt before vs. For on the one side it sayth, ye shall do all these things vnder payne of cursing. And what maner of things are they? it is not ynough for vs to absteyne onely in respect of our feete, handes, eyes, and eares: but we must be pure and clere from all lusting: there must be such an vncorruptnesse