The Institution of Christian Religion

But concerning Christs going down to the hells, beside the §10consideration of the Creed, we must seek for a more certain exposition, and we assuredly have such a one out of the word of God, as is not only holy and godly, but also full of singular comfort. Christs death had ben to no effect, if he had suffered only a corporal death: but it behoved also that he should feel the rigour of Gods vengeance: that he might both appease his wrath and satisfy his just judgement. For which cause also it behoved that he should as it were hand to hand wrestle with the armies of the hells and the horror of eternal death. We have even now alleged out of the Prophet that the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him:¹ that he was stricken of his father for our sins, and bruised for our infirmities. Whereby is meant, that he was put in the stead of wicked doers, as surety and pledge, yea and as the very guilty person himself, to able and suffer all the punishments that should have ben laid upon them: this one thing excepted,² that he could not be holden still of the sorrows of death. Therefore it is no marvel if it be said that he went down to the hells, sith he suffered that death wherewith God in his wrath striketh wicked doers. And their exception is very fond, yea and to be scorned, which say, that by this exposition the order is perverted, because it were an absurdity to set that after his burial which went before it. For after the setting forth of those things that Christ suffered in the sight of men, in very good order followeth that invisible and incomprehensible judgement which he suffered in the sight of God: that we should know that not only the body of Christ was given to be the price of our redemption, but that there was an other greater and more excellent price payed in this, that in his soul he suffered the terrible torments of a damned and forsaken man.

But concernyng Christes goyng downe to the helles, byside the §10consideracion of the Crede, we muste seke for a more certayne exposition, and we assuredly haue suche a one out of the worde of God, as is not only holy and godly, but also full of singular comforte. Christes death had ben to no effect, yf he had suffred only a corporall death: but it behoued also that he shoulde feele the rigour of Gods vengeance: that he might bothe appease his wrathe and satisfie his iuste iudgement. For which cause also it behoued that he should as it were hand to hande wrastle with the armies of the helles and the horrour of eternall death. We haue euen nowe alleged out of the Prophet that the chastisement of our peace was layed vpon him: