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

yet notwithstanding in the end our Lord made us partakers of the salvation whereunto we were strangers, and it behoved us that were far off, to be gathered together again, as those that had bin near neighbours afore. And therefore Saint Paul in another text ⟨p. 161⟩calling Jesus Christ our peace,¹ saith that he hath joined and knit us unto God, even us that had bin near him before, as well the Jews which had the Law, as those that had bin utterly divided from them. They that erst had none acquaintance with God, were in the end gathered together again into the body of the Church at the coming of the anointed, and so were they also which had heretofore bin separated a great way off, not only from God, but also one from another. Now we see S. Pauls meaning. Howbeit, that we may profit the better by this text, let us mark that as God hath given us his Law by the Angels: so shall they bear witness against us if the Law bear no sway with us, and that we make none account of it, but do as it were tread it under our feet. Then shall the Angels be armed too ask vengeance at Gods hand against our wickedness and rebellion. For it was no babes play when God willed his Angels too be present and assisting at the publishing of his Law. Therefore it was to the end it should be received with all reverence. Now it is true that we can not perform all that the Law commandeth, and if we should stand upon that point, we should be plunged into everlasting death, and utterly overwhelmed in despair. But first of all, seeing that God is so gracious too us as too teach us his will, too the end we should discern between good and evil: let us bow down our necks, and receive the yoke that God layeth upon us, to make us subject unto him. Let that serve for one point. And for as much as the Law doth quicken us, and cheer us up when we be hartfrosen, and when there is such sloth and slowness in us as we can not come unto God: Let every of us look well too him self, and early and late call too mind Gods commandments, to reprove our selves withal. Then let us bethink our selves better, seeing that the Angels keep watch and ward about us, & will not (now after that God hath given them in charge to authorise his Law) suffer us to despise it, and misuse it as if it were a thing of nothing.

yet notwithstanding in the ende our Lorde made vs parttakers of the saluation wherevnto we were straungers, and it behoued vs that were farre off, to be gathered togither againe, as those that had bin neere neighbours afore. And therefore Saint Paule in another text