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

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;¹ & the other named Isaac. Ismael was borne of Hagar which was Abraham's handmaid, and had bin given him to wife. Howbeit there was a foul fault in that he could not discharge the promise and bond that he had made to his lawful wife Sarah.

EVery man can say that freedome is a thing so greatly to be desired, that mās life is as it were halfe dead, or a continuall pininig away without it. And in very deede wee shunne bondage and subiection as muche as is possible, and seeke freedome and libertie, according also as it is named an inestimable benefite in the common Prouerbe. Nowe if it bee so in respect of this earthly lyfe: Muche more is it so when it standeth vpon the euerlasting saluation of our soules. But wee see that many runne into bondage, and tye the rope about their owne neckes wilfully. They can well inoughe say that they desire freedome: but in the meane whyle they shewe them selues too haue as it were vowed them selues vnto slauerie. And this is specially seene and tryed to much when wee come too the enioying of the freedome whiche is purchased vs by our Lorde Iesus Christ, too the ende that our soules should haue rest. For although God set vs free from the bondes of Satan, and from tyrannie of sinne, by the Gospell, in telling vs that he adopteth vs too bee his children: yet doo wee scarsly see any that accepte that benefite when it is offered them, but all doo plunge them selues into the cursed captiuitie of sinne, and had leuer to bee subiect to their owne lusts, than too walke at libertie by yeelding them selues to the obeying of God. Not without cause therefore doth S. Paule reproue heere the vnthankfulnesse of suche as long to be vnder the law, telling them that they forsake the thing which they ought most chiefly to wish for, that is, to be franke and free as the children of God. And heere of he giueth vs as it were a looking glasse or liuely picture, saying that euen in the Law it selfe a man may perceyue how wretched and miserable mans state is, so long as he abideth vnder the Law. For Abrahams house was as a liuely image of Gods Churche. There therefore wee maye see what the state of the Church is. Now it is said that Abraham had two sonnes: the one named Ismaell;