Galatians 5:8

The meaning. This opinion of iustification by the workes of the law, is not from God, who hath called you from bondage to libertie.

The scope. Paul here meetes with a conceit of the Galatians, which was this: Why dost thou so often and so sharpely reprooue vs? for we hould nothing against conscience, but are perswaded of the thing which we say. To this Paul answers here: this perswasion is not of God: because it is against the calling of God, for he calles you to libertie: and this your opinion drawes you into bondage.

Here we see the cause of mens declining from God and his worde, and that is this: Men denie credence to Gods word, & listen to plausible perswasions, and so fall awaie. Thus Eue fell in the estate of innocencie by listning to the false perswasions of the deuill. The Papists nusle themselues in their superstitions, by a presumption that the Church cannot erre, and that god wil not leaue his church destitute of the assistāce of his spirit. Our common people boulster themselues in their blind waies by a presumption that God is all of mercy, and that if they doe their true intent, serue God, say their praiers, deale iustly, and doe as they would be done vnto, they shall certenly be saued. Tradesmen often vse many practises of fraud and iniustice, and that vpon a perswasion, that they haue a charge and family which must be maintained. If men now a daies will not blaspheme, drinke, and riot, as others doe, they shall be charged with precisenes: and that comes vpon a perswasion, that it sufficeth to auoid the outward and notorious crimes which are mentioned and condemned in the law. Thus the whole world is misled by blind perswasions.

Secondly, hence we learne to close vp our eyes (as it were) and absolutely to follow the calling of god, & to subiect all the powers of our soules vnto it. Thus did Abraham when he was called to go he knew not whether, and Paul without vsing consultation went and preached in Arabia at the calling of Christ.

Thirdly, Paul here sets downe a note to discerne of false doctrines and opinions in religion. If they be sutable to the calling of God they are good: if they be against the calling of God, they are naught. This is Pauls rule. God calles vs to libertie: therefore the doctrine of iustification by the workes of the law is naught: for it drawes vs into bondage. In like sort God calles vs to free iustification: and therefore the doctrine of humane satisfactions and of the merit of workes is naught. Againe, God calls vs to an vtter deniall of our selues: and therefore the Popish doctrine of preparation, and of freedome of will in the conuersion of a sinner, is naught.

Lastly, it is to be obserued, that Paul saith in the time present [of him that calleth you:] for hence it appeares, that God continues to call the Galatians, euen after their fall, in which they fell away to an other Gospel, and as much as in them lay, abolished themselues from Christ. This shews Gods patience: and that there is a possibilitie of mercie after great and grieuous falls.

It may be saide, how long doth God continue to call men vnto him? Ans. So long as he vouchsafeth them the benefit of the publike Ministerie. Thus then more then fourtie yeares hath God called vs in England. And for this cause, it is our part to pray to God for hearing eares to be pearced in our hearts: and we must answer the calling of God, Psal. 27. 8. at the least in the desires and groanes of our hearts. And lastly, we must in life and conuersation be sutable to the calling of God.