By JOHN CALVIN.
The testimony of the Law, however, which convinces us of iniquity and transgression, is not made in order that we should fall into despair and, having lost courage, stumble into ruin. Certainly the apostle (Rom. iii. 19-20) testifies that by the judgment of the Law we all are
condemned in order that every mouth be closed, and the entire world be found guilty before God. Yet that very apostle elsewhere (Rom. xi. 32) teaches that God has included all under unbelief, not in order to ruin them or let them perish but, on the contrary, in order that He may exercise mercy on all.
The Lord, therefore, after reminding us (by means of the Law) of our weakness and impurity, comforts us with the assurance of His power and His mercy. And it is in Christ, His Son, that God shows Himself to us benevolent and propitious. For in the Law He appeared only as Remunerator of perfect righteousness (of which we are completely destitute), and, on the other hand, as upright and severe Judge of sin. But in Christ His face shines full of grace and kindness even towards miserable and unworthy sinners; for He gave this admirable example of His infinite love when He exposed His own Son for us, and in Him opened to us all the treasure of His clemency and goodness.
We apprehend Christ through faith. Just as the merciful Father offers us the Son through the word of the Gospel, so we embrace Him through faith and acknowledge Him as given to us. It is true that the word of the Gospel calls all to participate in Christ, but a number, blinded and hardened by unbelief, despise such a unique grace. Hence only believers enjoy Christ; they receive Him as sent to them; they do not reject Him when He is given, but follow Him when He calls them.