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…

Now, we see here (as I have said) that Pilate his fear never took deep root in him, but was only a puffed of wind. Wherefore let us learn to have assure and constant fear of God, that we may walk in his obedience, and valiantly fight against whatsoever might put us by, and always thus restrain our selves, as that we provoke not him to wrath, who hath all power over us. And this is it which we are here to consider of. Let us also besides consider, that the glory which Pilate attributed to himself, is notwithstanding turned to his great shame. For his enemies could never speak worse of him then for this: to wit, that he would be taken to be a man of no discretion to discern betwixt good and bad: and yet he boasted himself of it. Here therefore we see, that the higher the despisers of God think to advance them selves, they must always feel, that they are the more shamefully to be thrown down: and God so giveth them over into a reprobate sense, as that they brag of their iniquities, that they ⟨p. 59⟩might become detestable both in heaven and earth. What is there then for us to do? Forsooth, let us learn to glory in that which is good, and have an eye to do the thing that is lawful. For they which glory in their mightiness, and in their authority, without doubt do provoke the Lord to anger, because they have many times gotten their riches and credit by unlawful means, as by rioting, cruelty, and all kinds of extortion. Wherefore when they glory herein, it is as it were to set them selves against the Lord. For he that hath gotten every way by spoil, will say I am wealthy: and see, he will say, I have gotten, whenas he hath sucked the blood of the poor out of them. But how? Surely, by deceit and wicked practises, in robbing the one, and glutting the other. Another man, through ambition, and unlawful means, is advanced to some honour, and hereupon forsooth, this man would be greatly feared. And this kind of dealing is manifestly to stand against God, And therefore (as I have said) let us learn to glory in that which God alloweth and liketh of. True it is, that although there be valour in us, yet is it not lawful to usurp the commendation which God reserveth to himself, and for the which we ought to honour him, because, all that we have cometh of his free gift.

Nowe, wée sée héere (as I haue said) that Pilate his feare neuer tooke déepe roote in him, but was onely a puft of winde. Wherefore let vs learne to haue asure and constant feare of God, that we may walk in his obedience, and valiantly fight against whatsoeuer might put vs by, and alwayes thus restraine our selues, as that we prouoke not him to wrath, who hath all power ouer vs. And this is it which wée are héere to consider of. Let vs also besides consider, that the glory which Pilate attributed to himselfe, is notwithstanding turned to his great shame. For his enimies coulde neuer speake worse of him then for this: to wit, that hee woulde be taken to be a man of no discretion to discerne betwixte good and bad: and yet hée boasted himselfe of it. Héere therefore wée sée, that the higher the dispisers of God think to aduance them selues, they must alwayes feele, that they are the more shamefully to bée throwne downe: and God so giueth them ouer into a reprobate sence, as that they bragge of their iniquities, that they