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

The .xxix. Sermon, which is the sixth upon the fourth Chapter.

The .xxix. Sermon, which is the sixth vpon the fourth Chapter.

21 Tell me you that would be under the Law, here ye not the Law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond woman, and the other by a free woman. 23 And he that was by the bond woman was borne after the flesh: but he that was of the free woman was borne by promise. 24 Which things are spoken by an Allegory: for they be two Covenants. The one from mount Sinai which engendereth unto bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For Hagar is mount Sinai in Araby, and representeth that which is now called Jerusalem, and is in bondage with her children.

21 Tell mee you that vvould be vnder the Lavv, heere yee not the Lavv? 22 For it is vvritten that Abraham had tvvo sonnes, the one by a bonde vvoman, and the other by a free vvoman. 23 And he that vvas by the bond vvomā vvas borne after the flesh: but he that vvas of the free vvoman vvas borne by promise. 24 VVhich things are spoken by an Allegorie: for they bee tvvo Couenaunts. The one from mount Sina vvhiche ingendreth vnto bondage, vvhich is Agar. 25 For Agar is mount Sina in Arabie, and representeth that vvhich is novve called Ierusalem, and is in bondage vvith hir children.

Every man can say that freedom is a thing so greatly to be desired, that mans life is as it were half dead, or a continual pining away without it. And in very deed we shun bondage and subjection as much as is possible, and seek freedom and liberty, according also as it is named an inestimable benefit in the common Proverb. Now if it be so in respect of this earthly life: Much more is it so when it standeth upon the everlasting salvation of our souls. But we see that many run into bondage, and tie the rope about their own necks wilfully. They can well enough say that they desire freedom: but in the mean while they show them selves too have as it were vowed them selves unto slavery. And this is specially seen and tried to much when we come too the enjoying of the freedom which is purchased us by our Lord Jesus Christ, too the end that our souls should have rest. For although God set us free from the bonds of Satan, and from tyranny of sin, by the Gospel, in telling us that he adopteth us too be his children: yet do we scarcely see any that accept that benefit when it is offered them, but all do plunge them selves into the cursed captivity of sin, and had lever to be subject to their own lusts, than too walk at liberty by yielding them selves to the obeying of God. Not without cause therefore doth S. Paul reprove here the unthankfulness of such as long to be under the law, telling them that they forsake the thing which they ought most chiefly to wish for, that is, to be frank and free as the children of God. And here of he giveth us as it were a looking glass or lively picture, saying that even in the Law it self a man may perceive how wretched and miserable mans state is, so long as he abideth under the Law. For Abraham's house was as a lively image of Gods Church. There therefore we may see what the state of the Church is. Now it is said that Abraham had two sons: the one named Ismael;