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

If sin reigned not in us, then it might be said that we ought to be united unto God: but our frailty is to great. Thus ye see what excuse many ⟨p. 263⟩folk allege, thinking to be quit by it. But S. Paul saith: It is true that there is nothing but a gulf of all naughtiness in us, and that as long as men slumber after that fashion in their own affections, they must needs serve the devil, and become every day more beasts than other: but seek the remedy. God calleth you to him by his Gospel, he offereth you his holy spirit. So then, condemn the evil, that ye may be sorry for it, and God will so work in you as he will get the upper hand of all your affections. Ye see then what S. Paul meant in this text. Nevertheless therewithal he meant too give an overthwart blow to those against whom he disputeth. For I have told you heretofore, that the deceivers which had troubled the Church of that Country, were given to many pelting trifles which were utterly needless, in so much as they grounded all holiness upon the Ceremonies of the Law. Now, it is true that Gods enjoining of the Ceremonies for a time was not in vain: for they were figures till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. But now that he is come, they be unprofitable things, and things that hinder us from walking as we should do. For the Ceremonies and shadows were helps to bring the ancient fathers too our Lord Jesus Christ. But if we should hold them still now adays, they would make us to turn our back to Jesus Christ: so that it is not without cause that S. Paul hath showed heretofore, that the keeping of such things is no more of any value: and he will speak yet more of it hereafter. Now then forasmuch as he had to dispute against such as did set forth the Ceremonies, he saith unto them, walk after the spirit. As if he should say, consider which is the true service of God: it consisteth not in Lamps, nor in Incense, nor in Circumcision, nor in the observing of days, nor in forbearing too eat any certain kind of meats. These are not the things whereon God will have his to rest: but [he will have them to rest] upon his spiritual service. Therefore walk ye in the spirit, and then shall yet not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Howbeit, as I have told you before, this is not all. But yet by the way S.

If sinne reigned not in vs, then it might be sayd that wee ought to bee vnited vntoo God: but our frayltie is to great. Thus yee see what excuce many ⟨p. 263⟩