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

How soever the case stand, let us mark well, that he which was Lord of heaven and earth, took that subjection upon him, to set us free from it. For we see how our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised, and when he came to mans age, he kept diligently all that belonged too the law of Moses: not that he was bound to do it, but to put away the bondage, and to break the bond wherewith we were as it were pinched and fettered. Therefore as oft as the Gospel speaketh to us of liberty, (whereof S. Paul doth also treat in this text): let us come back to our Lord Jesus Christ, assuring our selves that he became not bond after that fashion for nothing. Now, there is nothing in him which containeth not the performance of our salvation. Then must we needs conclude that we be not any more subject to the bondage of the law, or else it would turn too the dishonour of our Lord Jesus Christ. For what a thing were it, if after his yielding of himself to subjection for our sakes, we should still hold scorn of liberty? It were more convenient that heaven and earth should change their nature, than too say that the son of God is come down here below, and hath abased himself in manner aforesaid, and yet that we should esteem it but as a play or trifling thing. For what a dealing were that? Now then let us learn, that we may now serve our God freely, and come directly unto him without being held any more so strictly under the yoke of the law as the ancient fathers were, because Jesus Christ is come, & hath set us free. I have told you already heretofore, in what wise we be delivered from the law. It is not for that it remaineth not still as a rule to frame our life by, so as God may govern us & have all superiority over us. For what a thing were it if we should be worse than the Heathen folk & unbelievers? But it is certain that they have the law engraved in their hearts as sayeth S. Paul.¹ He that never went too school, ne hath had any teaching at all, nor ever hath herd or red any thing, may notwithstanding discern between good & evil. Not that he hath a perfect skill: but because that howsoever the world go with him, God to take away all excuse of ignorance, would that men should have that evidence printed in their hearts, that theft, whoredom, extortion, deceit, perjury, drunkenness and such other like things, are vices to be condemned.

How soeuer the cace stand, let vs marke well, that he which was Lord of heauen and earth, tooke that subiection vpō him, to set vs free from it. For we see how our Lord Iesus Christ was circumcyzed, and when he came to mans age, he kept diligently all that belonged too the lawe of Moyses: not that he was bound to do it, but to put away the bondage, and to breake the bond wherewith wee were as it were pinched and fettered. Therefore as oft as the Gospell speaketh to vs of libertie, (whereof S. Paule doth also treate in this text): let vs come backe to our Lord Iesus Christ, assuring our selues that he became not bonde after that fashion for nothing. Now, there is nothing in him which cōteyneth not the performance of our saluation. Then must we needes conclude that wee be not any more subiect to the bondage of the lawe, or else it would turne too the dishonour of our Lord Iesus Christe. For what a thing were it, if after his yeelding of himself to subiectiō for our sakes, we should still hold scorne of libertie? It were more conuenient that heauen and earth should chaunge their nature, than too say that the sonne of God is come downe here bylow, and hath abaced himselfe in maner aforesayd, and yet that we should esteeme it but as a play or trifling thing. For what a dealing were that? Now thē let vs learn, that we may now serue our God freely, and come directly vnto him without being hild any more so streitly vnder the yoke of the law as the auncient fathers were, bicause Iesus Christ is come, & hath set vs free. I haue told you already heretofore, in what wise we be deliuered from the law. It is not for that it remayneth not still as a rule to frame our life by, so as God may gouerne vs & haue all superioritie ouer vs. For what a thing were it if we should be worse thē the Heathen folke & vnbeleeuers? But it is certaine that they haue the law ingraued in their hartes as sayeth S. Paule.