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

no, but here the case concerneth only our trust whereupon we may ground ourselves too call GOD ⟨image 189⟩our father, that we may be sure of the eternal heritage. If we go to our own works (as hath bin declared afore) there will be no certainty at all. For why, it is not a work or twain, or three that is required, but a perfect obedience, which was never yet found in any mortal creature. Truly if the Angels should come to account before God, they could not answer to that perfection of righteousness: & much less were it possible that we which are but worms, and which suck up sin as a fish doth water,¹ (as Job saith) should be so sound that God should receive us for our worthiness. To be short, we must quite and clean give over the trust of our own works, and acknowledge that there is nothing but condemnation in us, if we mind to have the promise performed towards us. Thus ye see in effect what Saint Paul meant too declare in this text. And now he addeth immediately, that before faith came, we were kept under the law, and as it were shut up till the faith was revealed. Here the words Law and Faith would be somewhat darksome, if they were not opened more at large. For sometimes when the scripture speaketh of faith, it meaneth all religion, and comprehendeth all the instructions that are given us in Gods book. Sometimes it meaneth the certainty of belief which we ought too have when we come to pray unto God, because we may not step to him at all adventure, but accept the grace that he offereth us. Then inasmuch as Gods promises dependeth not upon our deserts, but is altogether freely and frankly given unto us, and we are made partakers by our Lord Jesus Christ: if we embrace the same, our so doing is called faith, and so hath Saint Paul taken it hitherto, and likewise in his Epistle to the Romans, and in all other places where he discourseth or treateth how we may be justified before God, or how we may come in his favour, for they be both one thing, as I have said afore. But in this text the word Faith hath yet a more peculiar signification, which is, the revelation [or discovery] which we have by the Gospel.

no, but heere the cace concerneth onely oure trust wherevppon wee may ground ourselues too call GOD ⟨image 189⟩our father, that we may be sure of the eternall heritage. If we go to our owne works (as hath bin declared afore) there will be no certeintie at all. For why, it is not a worke or twayne, or three that is required, but a perfect obedience, which was neuer yet found in any mortall creature. Truly if the Angells should come to account before God, they could not answer to that perfection of rightuousnesse: & much lesse were it possible that we which are but wormes, and which sucke vp sin as a fish doth water,