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 Heathen men then did always bear themselves in hand, that they were able to purchase grace, and too deserve somewhat at Gods hand. And thereupon they offered Sacrifices, knowing not that the same were a figure of Jesus Christ, but yet howsoever the world went, they thought too make some satisfaction or amends. Even so also did the Jews, when they had once marred and corrupted the true meaning of the Law. As much also do the Papists at this day, fully resolving that God accepteth their doings, and that he is in a manner bound too them so too do. Let them then bargain with him too allow of their doings, though they do amiss. For they be sure enough that they can not make satisfaction too the full, nor in all points: but yet on the other side they say, that they can do more than God hath commanded and that that shall serve for recompense and payment. Now forasmuch as it is so hard a matter too persuade men, that Jesus Christ will not serve their turn by halves: it standeth us on hand to mark this Text so much the better, where Saint Paul saith, that whosoever is circumcised is a debtor of the performance of the whole Law. When Saint Paul speaketh after that sort of Circumcision, we must mark that he talketh not according to Gods first instituting of it: for too what purpose did God give it unto Abraham? He gave it him as a seal of the righteousness of faith,¹ and so doth he himself say in the fourth too the Romans. Therefore the Circumcising of Abraham, was not too make him a debtor of the performance of the whole Law: but contrariwise, too assure him of the forgiveness of his sins, and that God accepted him for one of his children, for our Lord Jesus Christs sake. Ye see then that Circumcision did set our father Abraham at full liberty. Why then did he take it? Because God gave it him as a record and Sacrament of his free goodness. But contrariwise, those against whom Saint Paul reasoneth, took Circumcision as a meritorious work, and thought thereby to deserve at Gods hand: they entered into a kind of bargaining with him, as if they should say, very well, I am beholding to you for such a thing, and I have done this or that in recompense of it. Therefore whensoever we fall to indenting after that sort with God: ⟨p. 234⟩we become debtors of the performance of the whole Law.

The Heathen men then did alwayes beare themselues in hande, that they were able to purchase grace, and too deserue somewhat at Gods hande. And therevppon they offered Sacryfices, knowing not that the same were a figure of Iesus Christ, but yet howsoeuer the worlde went, they thought too make some satisfaction or amendes. Euen so also did the Iewes, when they had once marred and corrupted the true meening of the Lawe. As much also doo the Papistes at this day, fully resoluing that God accepteth theyr dooings, and that hee is in a maner bounde too them so too doo. Let them then bargaine with him too allowe of theyr dooings, though they doo amysse. For they bee sure ynough that they can not make satisfaction too the full, nor in all poynts: but yet on the other syde they say, that they can doo more than God hath commaunded and that that shall serue for recompence and payment. Nowe forasmuch as it is so harde a matter too perswade men, that Iesus Christ will not serue their turne by halues: it standeth vs on hand to marke this Text so much the better, where Saint Paule sayth, that whosoeuer is circumcysed is a detter of the performance of the whole Lawe. VVhen Saint Paule speaketh after that sort of Circumcision, wee muste marke that hee talketh not according to Gods first instituting of it: for too what purpose did God giue it vntoo Abraham? Hee gaue it him as a seale of the rightuousnesse of fayth,