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 it followeth that we must forget the righteousness of the law, and lay it under foot, so as it may be utterly abolished, and thereupon that we go naked too our Lord Jesus Christ for remedy, confessing our own poverty, and not being ashamed too be defaced with all reproach before God, that we may be clothed again with his glory. Thus ye see in effect what we have too gather upon this text, where S. Paul sayeth that Jesus Christ is made unprofitable, if men hope to justify themselves by the Law. For it hath bin too common an error in all ages, that at the first setting forth and first brunt, men will needs pay God all that is due too him, and in the end seek starting holes when they see no power nor ability in them too do it. Well say they, though we cannot do all, yet will we do somewhat. But in this case it is not for us to follow our own imaginations: for God will judge us according too his own word. Therefore let us not reckon without our host, as the Proverb says, by making our selves ⟨image 260⟩believe that God will accept what we think good: but let us understand that Jesus Christ cannot boot us at all, except we seek the fullness of our salvation in him. For it is not said in the Scripture, that the father hath given us him as a help to obtain our salvation: but that he is given us to be our righteousness and life. It followeth then that in our own selves there is nothing but wickedness & endless death, till we have recovered the thing in Jesus Christ, which we lost and were utterly bereft of in Adam. And these two things are joined here together: namely that Jesus Christ profiteth us not at all, and that we be fallen from grace, according as in very truth, all the grace or favour that we must find at Gods hand, is communicated to us by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ. And it is a very notable point. For every man will well enough grant that we must resort unto God, because he is the wellspring of all welfare. But in the mean while the most part of men wander in their own windlasses, and in stead of coming unto God, do go from him, as it is too be seen in the Papacy, where wretched hypocrites & the ignorant sort say that their gadding after their Saints and puppets, & their martyring of themselves in their foolish devotions, is to get Gods favour.

Therefore it followeth that wee must forget the rightuousnesse of the lawe, and lay it vnder foote, so as it may bee vtterly abolished, and therevpon that wee go naked too our Lord Iesus Christe for remedie, confessing our owne pouertie, and not beyng ashamed too bee defaced with all reproche before God, that we may be clothed againe with his glorie. Thus ye see in effect what we haue too gather vpon this text, where S. Paule sayeth that Iesus Christ is made vnprofitable, if men hope to iustifie themselues by the Lawe. For it hath bin too common an errour in all ages, that at the first setting forth and first brunt, men will needes pay God all that is due too him, and in the end seeke startingholes when they see no power nor abilitie in them too doo it. VVell say they, though wee cannot doo all, yet will wee do somewhat. But in this cace it is not for vs to follow our owne imaginacions: for God will iudge vs according too his owne woorde. Therefore let vs not recken without our host, as the Prouerb sayes, by making our selues