15 That they might make him a king. Whereas those men were determined to give unto Christ the title and honour of a king, that did proceed from some reason: and in this point were they greatly deceived, that they did take to themselves liberty to make a king: for the Scripture saith, that this belongeth to God alone, as it is Psal. 2. 6. I have set my king, &c. Secondly, of what sort do they feign his kingdom to be? namely, an earthly kingdom which is altogether contrary to his person. Let us hereby learn how dangerous a thing it is, to invent any thing according to our own reason, in matters appertaining unto God, forsaking the word of God. For there is nothing which the froward quickness of our wit cannot corrupt. And what doth the colour of zeal help ⟨p. 138⟩when as we are more contumelious against God through our disordered worship, then if any man should impugn his glory of set purpose? We know how furious the endeavours of the enemies were to extinguish Christs glory. That was the extremest violence when he was nailed upon the cross. But by this means both salvation was obtained for the world, and Christ himself triumphed gloriously over death & Satan, If he had now suffered himself to be made a king, he had quite overthrown his spiritual kingdom: the gospel had bin eternally slandered, the hope of salvation had been quite extinguished. This is the success which feigned worshippings and honours rashly invented by men, have, that they do only dishonour God, having spoiled him of his true honour. We must also note the word, carry away. For they would carry away Christ, saith the Evangelist, that is, they would violently make him a king, although it were against his will. Wherefore if we be desirous to have that honour which we give unto him to be approved of him, we must always regard what he requireth. And truly those who thrust upon God honours invented by themselves, they do him injury after a sort, seeing that obedience is the foundation of the true worship. Furthermore, we do hereby learn, how reverently we must remain in the pure and simple word of GOD: because so soon as we turn aside but a little, the truth is infected with our leavens so that it is now made unlike to it self. They had out of the word of God, that the promised redeemer should be a king:
15 That they might make him a king. VVhereas those men were determined to giue vnto Christ the title and honour of a king, that did proceede from some reason: and in this point were they greatly deceiued, that they did take to themselues libertie to make a king: for the Scripture saith, that this belongeth to God alone, as it is Psal. 2. 6. I haue set my king, &c. Secondly, of what sort do they faine his kingdom to be? namely, an earthly kingdome which is altogether contrarie to his person. Let vs hereby learne how dangerous a thing it is, to inuent any thing according to our own reason, in matters appertaining vnto God, forsakyng the worde of God. For there is nothing which the froward quicknesse of our wit cannot corrupt. And what doth the colour of zeale helpe ⟨p. 138⟩when as we are more contumelious against God through our disordered worshippe, then if any man shoulde impugne his glory of set purpose? VVe know how furious the endeuours of the enemies were to extinguish Christes glory. That was the extreamest violence when he was nayled vpon the crosse. But by this meanes both saluation was obtained for the world, and Christ himselfe triumphed gloriously ouer death & Satā, If he had now suffered himself to be made a king, he had quite ouerthrowē his spirituall kingdome: the gospel had bin eternally slaundered, the hope of saluation had been quite extinguished. This is the successe which feigned worshippinges and honours rashly inuented by men, haue, that they doe onely dishonour God, hauing spoyled him of his true honour. VVe must also note the worde, carry away. For they would carry away Christe, saith the Euangelist, that is, they woulde violently make him a king, although it were against his will. VVherfore if we be desirous to haue that honor which we giue vnto him to be approued of him, we must alwayes regard what he requireth. And truly those who thrust vpon God honours inuented by themselues, they doe him iniurie after a sort, seeing that obedience is the foundation of the true worship. Furthermore, we doe hereby learne, how reuerently we must remaine in the pure and simple worde of GOD: because so sone as we turne aside but a little, the truth is infected with our leauens so that it is nowe made vnlike to it selfe. They had out of the worde of God, that the promised redeemer should be a king:
