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

WE have seen heretofore, that such as will make a partnership between their own works and Gods grace, do foully overshoot themselves: for as soon as we come to reckoning, God must needs judge us with rigour. Then if we go about too get his favour, and to purchase our salvation by our own works: we must perform Law to the uttermost without any missing. But now let us see if ever man discharged him […] so perfectly. Surely we come ⟨image 259⟩very far short of it. Therefore we must come empty unto God, that he may receive us too mercy, and impute unto us the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, avowing it in such wise as we lay aside all our own deservings, and bring not any thing of the Law with us, save only a single and pure confession, that we be damned and forlorn till God pity us, and burying all our faults and transgressions do cloth and apparel us again with the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ his son. And for that cause doth Saint Paul conclude here, that such as will justify themselves by the law, are fallen from grace, and Jesus Christ shall profit them not thing at all. If is not for nought that he speaketh after that manner. For the false packers that had partly corrupted the doctrine of the Gospel in the Church of the Galatians, meant too mingle the one with the other: that is to wit, that Jesus Christ is given us to supply our wants, and yet notwithstanding that we cease not to be righteous in part, by endeavouring to do well. For they did not utterly renounce our Lord Jesus Christ, neither said they that all the promises wherein God telleth us that he will of his goodness forgive the faithful their sins, are deceit and mockery: but their intent was that men should labour to justify themselves, that is to say, to purchase favour at Gods hand by their own works. And forasmuch as we be far from perfection: they meant that Jesus Christ should supply it as a second remedy: that was their surmise. Likewise nowadays in Popery, they will not with open mouth utter this blasphemy that Jesus Christ serveth us to none other purpose, but too teach us the will of God his father:

WE haue seene heretofore, that such as wil make a partnership betwene their owne workes and Gods grace, do fouly ouershoot thēselues: for as soone as we come to reckening, God must needes iudge vs with rygour. Then if we go about too get his fauour, and to purchace our saluation by our owne woorkes: we must performe Lawe to the vttermoste without any missing. But nowe let vs see if euer man discharged him 〈…〉 so perfectly. Surely we come