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…

IF we would at the first sight, according to mans reason, judge of the taking of our Lord Jesus Christ, it would amaze us to see that he never resisted. For a man would think it became not his majesty to suffer such shame and rebuke, and not to withstand it any whit at all. On the other side, Peters zeal were greatly to be commended, because he adventured him self unto death. For, he see before his face the multitude of the enemies: and him self alone man: yet, by reason of the love he bear to his master, he drew, and desired rather to dye forthwith, then to suffer his master to be so wronged. Wherein we see, that we must very humbly and modestly acknowledge to what end it was why the Son of God did, and suffered all these things, and also understand, that whatsoever seemeth good in our eyes, to be stark staring naught: But we are to beseech God so to guide and govern us, as that we none otherwise judge, then accordingly as he hath showed us in his word. For behold, what an offence the Gospel is to a number of people: and what a number of scoffers there are of it, and all to their destruction: By reason of their arrogant, and rash judgement thereof. Howbeit, to the end we might not be deceived, we must always in the first place, return to that which our Lord Jesus Christ setteth down unto us: which is, the will of God his father. And thus much for this point. And besides, we are to consider of the end thereof, which to us, would seem very strange. Wherefore when we look unto these two considerations, we shall then have occasion to honour God, and acknowledge that whatsoever we think to be foolish; the very Angels account it to be great wisdom. And for the better understanding hereof, let us look unto that which is here recited of Peter. For thus it is said, That when he had drawn his Sword, he cut off Malchus ear, a servant of Caiaphas. Here, we see, how fool hardy we are, when we follow our own opinion: & are so blinded, as that we care not what we do: But when we should obey God, we are ⟨p. 37⟩so slack as is lamentable: & in such sort forget our selves, as that the least thing in the world maketh us to change our copy.

IF we would at the first sight, according to mans reason, iudge of the taking of our Lorde Iesus Christ, it would amaze vs to sée that hée neuer resisted. For a man would thinke it became not his maiestie to suffer such shame and rebuke, and not to withstand it any whit at all. On the other side, Peters zeale were greatly to bee commended, because hée aduentured him selfe vnto death. For, he sée before his face the multitude of the enemies: and him selfe alone man: yet, by reason of the loue hée beare to his maister, hée drewe, and desired rather to dye foorthwith, then to suffer his maister to be so wronged. Wherin we sée, that we must verie humbly and modestly acknowledge to what ende it was why the Sonne of God did, and suffered all these thinges, and also vnderstand, that whatsoeuer séemeth good in our eyes, to be starke staring naught: But wée are to beséeche God so to guide and gouerne vs, as that we none otherwise iudge, then accordingly as hée hath shewed vs in his worde. For behold, what an offence the Gospell is to a number of people: and what a number of scoffers there are of it, and all to their destruction: By reason of their arrogant, and rashe iudgement thereof. Howbéeit, to the ende wée might not bée deceiued, wée must alwayes in the first place, returne to that which our Lorde Iesus Christ setteth downe vnto vs: which is, the will of God his father. And thus much for this point. And besides, wée are to consider of the ende thereof, which to vs, woulde séeme verie straunge. Wherefore when wée looke vnto these two considerations, wée shal then haue occasion to honour God, and acknowledge that whatsoeuer wée thinke to bée foolishe; the verie Angelles account it to be great wisedome. And for the better vnderstanding hereof, let vs looke vnto that which is here recyted of Peter. For thus it is said, That when hee had drawne his Swoorde, hee cut off Malchus eare, a seruaunt of Caiphas. Héere, wée sée, howe foole hardie wée are, when we follow our own opinion: & are so blinded, as yt we care not what we do: But when we should obey God, we are