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

IT is out of all doubt that there was never yet; any more means than one whereby men might attain too salvation. And whereas many men bear themselves in hand, that they shall by their own merits obtain the thing that they hope for: it is but a mockery and a beguiling of them selves. For (as hath bin showed heretofore) we are all of us rejected of God, cursed, and the children of wrath. On our own part we be not able to recover that which we have lost in Adam, but God must of his infinite goodness be fain to work in that behalf: for all other helps are vain and unavailable. But, now hath God stablished one only mean whereby men may get out of the dungeon of cursedness wherein we be all held. Therefore it must needs be that the fathers of old time were saved by Gods mere grace,¹ even as we be, which hope for the like at this day. For it is too be seen in the second Epistle to the Corinthians, that all the promises which God hath given in all ages, were grounded upon our Lord Jesus Christ, and that he is the pledge of them, which maketh them available and giveth them effect and force towards us. Then, to be short, it must needs be, that there is but one salvation common to all the faithful, both which are at this day, and which have lived at any time since the beginning of the world: and it must needs be also, that God hath gathered us together in one accord, to the intent we should be reconciled to him by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by that mean be counted righteous and enjoy the inheritance of heaven. Yet notwithstanding, we see great difference between the Church that is now adays, and the Church that was under the law. For the fathers were subject to many Ceremonies. They were circumcised from their childhood. Besides this, they had their Sacrifices, washings, and such other like things. At this day all those things are abolished, and none of them is in use. How then shall, we say that the substance of faith is all one among us and the fathers, and yet that the government was divers and that God hath utterly changed it? If it be alleged that this diversity proceedeth of God: it would seem that he is variable. And if it be said that it cometh of men: then must we conclude that ⟨p. 178⟩we hold two sundry ways, and that there was great odds between them and us.

IT is out of all doubt that there was neuer yet; any mo meanes than one whereby men might atteine too saluation. And whereas many men beare thēselues in hand, that they shall by their owne merites obteine the thing that they hope for: it is but a mockerie and a beguiling of thē selues. For (as hath bin shewed heeretofore) we are all of vs reiected of God, cursed, and the children of wrath. On our owne part we be not able to recouer that which wee haue lost in Adam, but God must of his infinite goodnesse be fayne to worke in that behalfe: for all other helps are vayne and vnauaylable. But, now hath God stablished one only meane whereby men may get out of the dungeon of cursednesse wherein we be all hild. Therfore it must needes be that the fathers of old time were saued by Gods meere grace,