The Institution of Christian Religion

For this setting of the one against the other, we ought principally to hold fast, lest we tremble & be careful all our life long, as though the just vengeance of God did hang over us, which the son of God hath taken upon himself.

For this settyng of the one agaynst the other, we ought principally to holde faste, leaste we tremble & be carefull all our life long, as though the iuste vengeance of God dyd hang ouer vs, which the sonne of God hath taken vpon himselfe.

Beside that, the very manner of his death is not without a singular §6mystery. The Cross was accursed, not only by opinion of men, but also by decree of the law of God. Therefore when Christ was lifted up to the Cross, he made himself subject to the curse. And so it behoved to be done, that when the curse was removed from us to him, we might be delivered from all curse that for our sins was prepared for us, or rather did already rest upon us. Which thing was also by shadow expressed in the law. For the sacrifices and satisfactory oblations that were offered for sins, were called Ashemoth: Which word properly signifieth sin it self. By which figurative change of name, the holy ghost meant to show, that they were like unto cleansing plasters to draw out to themselves, and bear the curse due to sins. But that same which was figuratively represented in the sacrifices of Moses, is in deed delivered in Christ the original pattern of all the figures. Wherefore he▪ to perform ⟨image 177⟩a perfect expiat•o,¹ gave his own soul to be an ashamed, that is a satisfactory oblation as the Prophet calleth it, upon the which our filth and punishment might be caste, and so cease to be imputed to us. The Apostle testifieth the same thing more plainly where he teacheth,