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 law in deed hath engendered unto bondage as in outward respect, as hath bin declared heretofore. Although the fathers of old time were Gods children and heirs of the kingdom of heaven as well as we: yet were they under tutors and governors. For they were as yet like little children, and the perfection of things was reserved to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: and the Ceremonies were as bridles and thongs, so that they which kept them had not the full freedom that God granteth us to enjoy now adays as it is purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet notwithstanding S. Paul speaking here of the Law that engendereth unto bondage, taketh it for the false opinion which they had against whom he disputeth. For he will add anon, that all such as are so engendered, shall in the end be banished and driven out of Gods house and heritage. Now although the fathers were engendered in outward bondage, as is said of them in the viij. to the Romans: yet were they free by the spirit of faith, which over ruled the bondage, or else they had bin cut of from all hope of salvation. To be short, S. Paul speaketh here of the law, after the interpretation wherewith it had bin corrupted by the hypocrites that busied their heads about pelting trifles, and would needs make meritorious deeds of them, and in the mean while did cast mens consciences into so straight bonds, as was enough too choke them. But hereof enough hath bin said heretofore. Nevertheless we must call to mind how the law hath bin compared with the Gospel, because that such as will needs purchase themselves righteousness by it, do bear themselves in hand that God is bound unto them, for their doing of their duty, and they think they do it throughly in deed.¹ When they here this promise, he that doth these things shall live: by and by they strain themselves, and they believe that they shall bring the matter about to perform all that ever God requireth and commandeth. And when they have once gotten the promise by the end, straightways they look for the wages too: & they never think any more that their salvation is a free gift, but that they have deserved and earned Gods promise, so that the eternal life is with them but a recompense of their deserts. Thus ye see what is meant by the Law when S. Paul compareth it with the Gospel.

The lawe in deede hath ingendred vntoo bondage as in outward respect, as hath bin declared heretofore. Although the fathers of olde time were Gods children and heyres of the kingdome of heauen as well as we: yet were they vnder tutors and gouerners. For they were as yet like little children, and the perfection of things was reserued to the cō ming of our Lord Iesus Christ: and the Ceremonies were as brydles and thongs, so that they which kept them had not the full freedome that God graunteth vs to inioy now adayes as it is purchaced for vs by our Lord Iesus Christe. Yet notwithstanding S. Paule speaking heere of the Lawe that ingendereth vnto bondage, taketh it for the false opinion which they had against whom he disputeth. For he will adde anon, that all such as are so ingendred, shall in the end be banished and driuen out of Gods house and heritage. Now although the fathers were ingendred in outward bōdage, as is sayd of them in the viij. to the Romanes: yet were they free by the spirit of faith, which ouer ruled the bondage, or else they had bin cut of from all hope of saluation. To be short, S. Paule speaketh heere of the lawe, after the interpretation wherewith it had bin corrupted by the hypocrites that buzied their heades aboute pelting trifles, and woulde needes make meritorious deedes of them, and in the meane whyle did cast mennes consciences into so streyt bondes, as was ynough too choke them. But hereof ynough hath bin sayd heeretofore. Neuerthelesse wee must call to minde howe the lawe hath bin compared with the Gospell, bicause that such as will needes purchace themselues rightuousnesse by it, do beare thēselues in hand that God is bound vnto thē, for their doing of their dutie, and they think they do it throughly in deede.