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

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 ⟨image 186⟩at him with devilish malapertness when he handleth them not after their own will and liking.

WE haue alreadie this morning dispatched this poynt, that the Law was not giuen in vayne, though it coulde not bring vs too righteousnesse to make vs acceptable to God. Secōdly, it was shewed you, that Gods giuing of hys Lawe, was not to the intent we should seeke our righteousnesse and saluation there, as though his grace, had bin weake and vnsufficient: but for a farre other respect, that is to wit, to giue men suche knowledge of their sinnes, as they might be ashamed of them in thē selues: for otherwise they could not be touched to the quicke, to flee to our Lorde Iesus Christ for refuge, as we see too much. And now S. Paule moueth another question: namely, whether the lawe bee agaynst the promises. For surely when it is sayde that the lawe promiseth vs saluation, vpon condition that wee deserue it: and the promise of the Gospell telleth vs that wee shall bee taken into Gods fauour without any deseruing: a man would thinke there were some contrarietie in the matter. As if a man shoulde offer mee a house, so I would pay wel for it, and did set me a price of it: and another man should say vnto me, no, thou shalt haue it for nothing. There is great contrarietie in these sayings. And it seemeth that in speaking after that fashion, God vnsayeth that which he had spoken in hys law, where he sayth, Serue me, and keepe my commaundements, & you shall not misse of your wages. For in the Gospell he speaketh another language, saying, I require nothing of you, for yee bee so wretched that ye can giue me nothing: but I receyue you into my kingdome frankly and of mine owne free goodnesse without any desert of yours: your heritage is assigned to you, euen bicause it is my good pleasure to doo it. Heerevpon S. Paule declareth, that although God speake after another maner and fashion in the lawe than in the Gospel: yet notwithstanding when we haue well considered the marke that he shooteth at [wee shal perceyue] there is no contrarietie in the matter. For (as I haue tolde you this morning) Gods promising of rewarde to our works is not to beguyle vs, but to stop our mouthes that wee might not repine agaynst him, as we see that the world doth, which is alwayes ready to carpe