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

it is not to vaunt our selves, but too confess our selves to be full of all reproach, so as all our worthiness is but dung and filth, and all our works uncleanness, and that we should be loathly in Gods sight like wretched Lazermen that are full of sores and botches, if we were not so washed and cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, that God did like well of us by his means. Now then the righteousness which ought too reign among the faithful, is not a thing full of pomp, nor a thing that is greatly gazed at and commended [of the world]: no, but it is utter wretchedness. And therefore S. Paul sayeth here, that when the world laugheth at our simplicity, because they see us hope after that fashion in our Lord Jesus Christ, and every of us humbly abase himself even to the dungeon of hell, too the end we may be lifted up by the grace of God too the kingdom of heau••: although the worldlings do ⟨image 262⟩mock and scorn us for it, yet must we hold on steadfastly, assuring our selves that we shall not be disappointed. For we know with whom we have left our gage in keeping, namely even with him that hath promised too call us too salvation. Therefore let us walk on in the said faith, and embrace Jesus Christ, and when we have him, let us set light by all the rest. Let us not do him the dishonour and wrong, too shrink away from him into a corner, and too make him serve our turn but in part: but let us acknowledge that we be justified throughly and in all points by his means. Now hereupon a man might yet make a question, and say: What I pray you, were the Ceremonies commanded in the Law without cause why? Truly Saint Paul hath answered this matter sufficiently already. Howbeit forasmuch as men are slow in resolving of matters that concern the holding fast of Gods pure truth: therefore he showeth new again, that there is difference between us and those that lived before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also he had a consideration too stop the mouths of many railers: for if a man preach Gods mere mercy in Jesus Christ: by and by some Mastiff curs or other fall too barking, and caste forth store of slanders, as is to be seen yet still at this day. For if we condemn the Devilish selftrust wherewith men beguile themselves, in weening too obtain salvation by their own deserts: ô how so say they?

it is not to vaunt our selues, but too confesse our selues to be full of all reproche, so as all our worthinesse is but dung and filth, and all our woorkes vnclennesse, and that wee should bee lothely in Gods sight lyke wretched Lazermen that are full of sores and botches, if wee were not so washed and clenzed by the bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ, that God did like well of vs by his meanes. Now then the rightuousnesse whiche ought too reigne among the faythfull, is not a thing full of pompe, nor a thing that is greatly gazed at and commended [of the world]: no, but it is vtter wretchednesse. And therefore S. Paule sayeth heere, that when the world laugheth at our simplicitie, bycause they see vs hope after that fashion in our Lord Iesus Christ, and euery of vs humbly abace himself euen to the dungeon of hell, too the end wee may bee lifted vp by the grace of God too the kingdome of heau: although the worldlings doo