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, for a full conclusion, it is said, That when Pilate saw he prevailed nothing, and that the people made a greater stir, he washed his hands, and said, I am innocent of the blood of this man. We have already said, that our Lord Jesus must be found innocent, even by the Testimony of the judges own mouth. For where it is laid that Jesus Christ was condemned, and suffered under Pontius Pilate, it is not sufficient for us that we have understood the History. But we must eftsoons acknowledge that Jesus Christ was not only innocent, but was also the fountain of all holiness and perfection. Why then was he condemned?¹ it should seem that here are two divers and sundry things. For, it is said, that he is the unspotted Lamb of God. And because he was the Lamb of God, it was meet that he should be condemned as a Sacrifice. This word, Lamb, importeth that he must be offered up. And what is it that the law calleth Sacrifices? Forsooth, it is sins, and curses. And we see why it is said that our Lord Jesus was accursed for us: to wit, he received unto himself, the curse which was due for our sins. Thus we see in what quality and state he was condemned: because GOD had established, that he should be as it were the Lamb, which should be offered for a Sacrifice. Howbeit it was meet he should be known to be without spot, and his purity be openly seen, to the end we might take hold of our sins, until the time we know Jesus Christ to be the mirror of all perfection, and enter into the trial and examining of our sins, and be displeased with them, and condemned, and we should have been, had he not delivered and freed us. Now, when Pilate had taken the Basin and washed his hands, that was over trifling a a Ceremony and a very foolish fashion: as though he could have discharged himself before God for it: Howbeit, when he attempted to appease the rage of the people, that was not to make his excuse unto God, For, he protested not before God, that he was innocent: but said only to the people, look well to your selves my masters: For, as for my self I am innocent. As if he should have said, it is you that enforce me to do this. But all this (as I have said) will not excuse him. Neither did he the duty of a Judge:

Nowe, for a full conclusion, it is saide, That when Pilate sawe he preuailed nothing, and that the people made a greater stirre, hee washed his handes, and saide, I am innocent of the blood of this man. Wée haue already saide, that our Lorde Iesus muste bée founde innocent, euen by the Testimonie of the iudges owne mouth. For where it is laide that Iesus Christe was condemned, and suffered vnder Pontius Pilate, it is not sufficient for vs that wée haue vnderstood the History. But wée must eftsoones acknowledge that Iesus Christe was not onely innocent, but was also the fountaine of all holinesse and perfection. Why then was he condemned?