Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

And thus we see what the meaning of the holy Ghost is to show us, that is, that nothing came to pass unto the Son of GOD, which was not both spoken of and figured before, to the end we might be so much the more confirmed, that is he whom GOD had always established, since he carried with him such, and so infallible marks.

And thus wee see what the meaning of the holy Ghoste is to shewe vs, that is, that nothing came to passe vnto the Sonne of GOD, which was not both spoken of and figured before, to the end we might be so much the more confirmed, that is hee whom GOD had alwayes established, since hee carried with him such, and so infallible markes.

Moreover we see in the person of Judas, that the Church of God shall continually be subject to much treason. True it is, that it is very much to have Satan and all his furniture against us, and all that which we have before spoken of, and besides, to have them also our enemies who openly fight against God, and seek altogether the overthrow of his Church. This, I tell you, is very much that we have to deal against such enemies: But yet it pleaseth the Lord to prove our patience herein, that is, that there should be always amiddest us home enemies, who should be full of treason and disloyalty. And although this be an horrible pestilence, yet shall the Church never be without it, nor clean rid thereof. In deed we ought to look well unto it, and keep us from it, and it is the duty of every man as much as lieth in him, to root and blot out this filthy infection: and yet when we have all done, God will have a number of Judases continually to be in it. For since, it was figured in David, and performed in our Lord Jesus Christ, it is meet that we should be made like unto him (according to that saying of Saint Paul) for he bear as it were the ensigns,¹ and badges of the house of God, being the first born of all the faithful. And therefore our estate ought to be like unto his. But we may here see, that this is spoken of a troubled conscience, when as God sendeth a troubled, frantic, or blockish mind, whereof he oftentimes speaketh by his Prophets. Wherefore, let us here look upon Judas, who showeth the reward of those which wittingly fight against God, that they must needs become so desperate, as that there is in them neither sense nor reason: and yet notwithstanding, altogether go about hypocritically to hide it, until such time as God spite of their teethes draweth, and bringeth them unto their last condemnation. It should seem at the first sight, that these two things should be contrary the one to the other, that a man should run his head against God, like a wild Bull, and so forget him as to do nothing else but spit at the Son, and be angry with nature, and yet notwithstanding goeth about to hide him self with subtleness, and thinketh to have gotten something through his hypocrisy. It may be said, that these two things agree not very well together: