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

The .xxij. Sermon, which is the eight upon the third Chapter.

The .xxij. Sermon, which is the eyght vpon the third Chapter.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if the law were given too justify, truly righteousness should come by the Law. 22 But the Scripture hath shut up all under sin, to the intent that the promise by the saith of Jesus Christ should be given to those that believe. 23 Now before that faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to come to the faith that was to be revealed. 24 By means whereof the Law was our schoolmaster to lead us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith is come, we be no more under the Schoolmaster.

21 Is the lavv then agaynst the promises of God? God forbyd. For if the lavve vvere giuen too iustifie, truely ryghtuousnesse shoulde come by the Lavve. 22 But the Scripture hath shut vp all vnder sinne, to the intent that the promise by the saythe of Iesus Christ should begiuen to those that beleeue. 23 Novv before that fayth came, vve vvere kept vnder the lavve, shut vp to come to the fayth that vvas to bee reuealed. 24 By meanes vvhereof the Lavv vvas our scholemaster to leade vs vnto Christ, that vvee might bee iustified by fayth. 25 But novv that fayth is come, vvee bee no more vnder the Scholemaster.

WE have already this morning dispatched this point, that the Law was not given in vain, though it could not bring us too righteousness to make us acceptable to God. Secondly, it was showed you, that Gods giving of his Law, was not to the intent we should seek our righteousness and salvation there, as though his grace, had bin weak and unsufficient: but for a far other respect, that is to wit, to give men such knowledge of their sins, as they might be ashamed of them in them selves: for otherwise they could not be touched to the quick, to flee to our Lord Jesus Christ for refuge, as we see too much. And now S. Paul moveth another question: namely, whether the law be against the promises. For surely when it is said that the law promiseth us salvation, upon condition that we deserve it: and the promise of the Gospel telleth us that we shall be taken into Gods favour without any deserving: a man would think there were some contrariety in the matter. As if a man should offer me a house, so I would pay well for it, and did set me a price of it: and another man should say unto me, no, thou shalt have it for nothing. There is great contrariety in these sayings. And it seemeth that in speaking after that fashion, God unsayeth that which he had spoken in his law, where he saith, Serve me, and keep my commandments, & you shall not miss of your wages. For in the Gospel he speaketh another language, saying, I require nothing of you, for ye be so wretched that ye can give me nothing: but I receive you into my kingdom frankly and of mine own free goodness without any desert of yours: your heritage is assigned to you, even because it is my good pleasure to do it. Hereupon S. Paul declareth, that although God speak after another manner and fashion in the law than in the Gospel: yet notwithstanding when we have well considered the mark that he shooteth at [we shall perceive] there is no contrariety in the matter. For (as I have told you this morning) Gods promising of reward to our works is not to beguile us, but to stop our mouths that we might not repine against him, as we see that the world doth, which is always ready to carp