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

that were a condemning of all good works. And after that manner do the hypocrites now adays slander the doctrine of the Gospel which we bear abroad, as though we meant to give leave and licence too do evil, that there might be no more difference betwixt vice and virtue. Again if we tell them that their Ceremonies are but pelting baggage, and that the more they take pride in them, the more abominable they be before God: ô, how should that be say they? Behold, these fellows would abolish all religion: and what a thing were that? Shall God be no more served and honoured? such is the speech and talk that is used now adays by those curredogges, which cannot abide that our Lord Jesus Christ should be the only foundation whereon to settle the trust of our salvation, nor also abide that we should be governed by the pure and only word of God. And for that cau•• S. Paul sayeth here, that in Jesus ⟨p. 240⟩Christ there is neither Circumcision nor uncircumcision, but faith that worketh through charity. In saying that there is neither Circumcision nor uncircumcision in Jesus Christ: he meaneth that Gods commanding of the Ceremonies was but for a time, & that we must always have an eye whereto he tended, namely that he meant to maintain the people in hope, because Jesus Christ was not yet appeared too the world. For if they had not had washings, and Sacrifices and such other like things: they would have bin dismayed, and the frailty of man is such, that they would have quite quailed a hundred thousand times. And therefore although they saw not yet fully how they should be saved: yet notwithstanding they had therein as it were lively pictures & looking glasses, where they might behold the grace of god. Thus ye see how the shadows and figures served but for a time. So then S. Paul declareth,¹ that he will not in any point diminish the authority of God who had stablished that Law among the Jews, nor also say that all those things were fruitless and unavailable: but that we, (now after that our Lord Jesus Christ is manifested,) are come to the fullness of time, and therefore that we must have no more veils to keep us from beholding him face to face, according as he is set forth to us in the Gospel.

that were a condemning of all good woorkes. And after that maner doo the hypocrites now adayes slaunder the doctrine of the Gospell whiche we beare abrode, as though wee ment to giue leaue and licence too doo euill, that there might bee no more difference betwixt vice and vertue. Againe if wee tell them that their Ceremonies are but pelting baggage, and that the more they take pryde in them, the more abhominable they be before God: ô, how should that bee say they? Behold, these fellowes would abolish all religion: and what a thing were that? Shall God be no more serued and honored? such is the speach and talke that is vsed now adayes by those curredogges, which cannot abide that our Lord Iesus Christ should be the only foundacion whereon to settle the trust of our saluation, nor also abide that wee should bee gouerned by the pure and alonly woord of God. And for that cau S. Paule sayeth here, that in Iesus