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

Furthermore, as touching that the Law curseth us: let us assure our selves that although men commend us, and clap their hands at us for joy, yet shall we be put to shame before the Angels of heaven. Then if […] whole world favour us, it ⟨image 184⟩is nothing. For to what end was it Gods will that all his Angels should appear together at the publishing of his law, but to teach us to be ashamed of our sins, and thereby to humble us in good earnest, that we might seek all our welfare in our Lord Jesus Christ? And moreover where as it is said that our Lord Jesus Christ was the mediator of the Law: let us assure our selves that if we resort wholly to his grace, we shall not need to fear that the law shall have any more power to condemn us, yea or to reign over our sin.¹ For we must bear in mind how S. Paul in the first to the Corinthians saith, that the law is the strength of sin, and doth so sharpen sin as it woundeth us deadly. Seeing it is so then: surely if we had not the thing that is showed us here for our comfort, we should be stricken with such fear, as we could not be sure of our salvation, though the promises were offered us in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we would always match the contrary things against them, and lay the Law in balance with them, saying: What? was not the Law given of God? But God condemneth us by it. Therefore although our Lord Jesus Christ steppe in too help the matter, yet doth it not seem that we be escaped. So shall we always be in trouble. But if we consider how our Lord Jesus was the mediator in the publishing of the law: it showeth unto us that if he be our advocate at this day, it will be a good and sufficient discharge for us: in so much that although God have pronounced his sentence of cursing against us, yet we must not be dismayed at it, nor so overpressed with heartgrief and anguish of mind, as though the mischief were incurable: but assure our selves that our Lord Jesus Christ will very well agree too do both twain, that is too wit, both make us ashamed that we may learn humility, and therewithal also make us sure of our salvation.

Furthermore, as touching that the Lawe curseth vs: let vs assure our selues that although men commende vs, and clap their hands at vs for ioy, yet shall we be put to shame before the Angels of heauen. Then if 〈…〉 whole world fauour vs, it ⟨image 184⟩