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

If we find ourselves to have transgressed Gods law, and that our own conscience upbraideth us: there is none other remedy for us but to put ourselves into the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be quit before God, and washed from all our spots by the merit of his death and passion, and by the shedding of his blood. To be short, Saint Paul showeth here, that men run astray when they seek means of salvation any where else than in Jesus Christ, insomuch that they become forlorn and utterly past recovery. Now then seeing that God hath set us forth but only one way of salvation: they that turn aside from that, do cast themselves wilfully into destruction, and Satan reigneth over them for their unthankfulness sake in despising the inestimable benefit that God offered them. What a bountifulness is it that God calleth and allureth us too his favour and love, notwithstanding that we be his deadly foes? Again seeing he appointeth not the Angels to be our mediators, but vouchsafeth to join himself unto us in the person of his only son: if we be so miserable that that will not suffice us, but we will needs of a devilish covetousness seek other means: is it not a shaking off of our Lord Jesus Christ▪ Then let us learn, that too profit well in the Gospel, we must forsake all that is contrary to the trust which we ought to have in our Lord Jesus Christ: and stick wholly to his righteousness, too seek all perfection in him. Let that serve for one point.

If we find ourselues to haue transgressed Gods lawe, and that our owne conscience vpbraydeth vs: there is none other remedie for vs but to put ourselues into the hands of our Lord Iesus Christ, that we may bee quit before God, and washed from all our spottes by the merit of his death and passion, and by the sheading of his bloud. To be short, Sainct Paule sheweth heere, that men runne astray when they seeke meanes of saluation any where else than in Iesus Christ, in somuch that they become forlorne and vtterly past recouerie. Now then seeing that God hath sette vs foorth but only one way of saluation: they that turne aside from that, do cast themselues wilfully into destruction, and Satan reigneth ouer them for their vnthankfulnesse sake in despising the inestimable benefyte that God offered them. VVhat a bountifulnesse is it that God calleth and allureth vs too hys fauoure and loue, notwithstanding that we be his deadly foes? Againe seeing he appoynteth not the Angells to bee our mediators, but voutsaueth to ioyne himselfe vnto vs in the persone of his only sonne: if we be so miserable that that will not suffise vs, but wee will needs of a diuelish couetousnesse seeke other meanes: is it not a shaking off of our Lorde Iesus Christ Then let vs learne, that too profit well in the Gospell, wee must forsake all that is contrary to the trust whych we ought to haue in our Lord Iesus Christ: and sticke wholly to his ryghtuousnsse, too seeke all perfection in hym. Let that serue for one poynt.