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

Therefore let us have a regard of the things that concern the policy, because it behoveth us to be knit and united together, and to have such an onement among us, that every of us serve his neighbours turn, and none of us be addicted to himself. But when the case concerneth the spiritual liberty: then must every of us draw home into himself, too consider the nature and property thereof. Every of us (say I) must draw home himself as it were before God. For our account is too be made to the heavenly judge, and therefore it behoveth us too enter into ourselves, to say thus: How may I present my self before Gods judgement seat? If my life come to be tried by the law: woe worth me. For I am guilty after so many sorts, yea even without number, that if I should suffer a Million of deaths, it were too little for the offences that I have committed. Nevertheless God will be favourable to me, and take me to mercy for our Lord Jesus Christs sake, and when I resort to him, I may come with my head bolt upright, as having my quits est and clear discharge, which was given me in the sacrifice that he offered up for us, because that therein he hath made full satisfaction for me, and set me at full liberty. Mark this for one point, that I must serve God, and it is good reason that I should dedicate my life unto him. But at which end shall I begin? I cannot bring such perfection as is requisite, no nor the hundred part of it. Yet for all that, God beareth with me, and ceaseth not to take the things in good worth which are unperfect and weak, yea & sinful too. And why doth he so? Because he admitteth me as one of his children for our Lord Jesus Christs sake. After this manner (say I) must we come before God, if we will conceive and understand the fruit of this liberty or freedom that Saint Paul treateth of. Now whereas he addeth, that we should not wrap ourselves again in the yoke of bondage: thereby he showeth, that before we be come to the faith of the Gospel, and do know what benefit ⟨image 254⟩is brought us by the death and passion of the son of God, we be all held in straight bonds like prisoners, and have not any freedom or liberty at all. And in very deed, were it not that Jesus Christ maketh intercession, and is a mean between God his father and us: it is certain that our minds should be in continual torment and unquietness.

Therefore let vs haue a regard of the things that concerne the policie, bycause it behoueth vs to be knit and vnited togither, and to haue suche an onement among vs, that euery of vs serue his neighbours turne, and none of vs be addicted to himselfe. But when the cace concerneth the spirituall libertie: then must euery of vs draw home into himselfe, too consider the nature and propertie thereof. Euery of vs (say I) must draw home himselfe as it were before God. For our account is too be made to the heauenly iudge, and therefore it behoueth vs too enter into ourselues, to say thus: How may I present my self before Gods iudgement seate? If my life come to be tried by the lawe: wo worth me. For I am giltie after so many sorts, yea euen withoute number, that if I should suffer a Million of deaths, it were too little for the offences that I haue committed. Neuerthelesse God will be fauourable to me, and take me to mercy for our Lord Iesus Christs sake, and when I resort to him, I may come with my head bolt vpright, as hauing my quits est and cleere discharge, which was gyuen me in the sacrifise that he offered vp for vs, bycause that therein hee hath made full satisfaction for me, and set me at full libertie. Marke this for one point, that I must serue God, and it is good reason that I should dedicate my life vnto him. But at which end shall I begin? I cannot bring such perfection as is requisite, no nor the hundreth part of it. Yet for all that, God beareth with me, and ceasseth not to take the things in good worth which are vnperfect and weake, yea & sinful too. And why doth he so? Bycause he admitteth me as one of his children for our Lord Iesus Christs sake. After thys manner (say I) must we come before God, if wee will conceyue and vnderstand the frute of this libertie or freedome that Sainct Paule treateth of. Now whereas he addeth, that wee shoulde not wrappe ourselues agayne in the yoke of bondage: thereby he sheweth, that before we be come to the faith of the Gospell, and do know what benefyte