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…

But we have to note, that in respect of the Jews, the death of our Lord Jesus Christ ought to be taken ⟨image 77⟩as it were for a most terrible offence, and surely God greatly detested their villainous iniquity: because it surpassed all the rest. And to say the trueth, if murder and such like things are to be hated, what shall we say to the most wicked handling of the Son of God? As to see men to be so bewitched, even to make no account of him who was the very fountain of life: and so to lift up themselves as to abuse the memory of him, by whom we were created, and by whose power we live and have our being. And yet the death of our Lord Jesus Christ is become a sweet smelling sacrifice: for we must have continual recourse to this,¹ that it was the reconciliation of the world, as heretofore we have said. Moreover, darkness was overspread, that the Sun might be a witness of the divine and heavenly Majesty of our Lord Jesus. And therefore, although he were for a short time abased and contemptible: yea (and as S. Paul saith) made of no estimation amongst men: yet did the Sun show his reverence to him: and in token thereof hid himself.² Since then it is so, Let us understand that God, because he would make the wicked to be so much the more inexcusable, meant that Jesus Christ should show him self in his death to be the sovereign King over all creatures: & that the triumph whereof Saint Paul speaketh,³ began already, where it is said that Jesus Christ triumphed upon the Cross. It is true, that he applied it unto that, that he had cancelled the Obligation which was against us, and whereof he discharged us before God, by which mean Satan was overcome: yet notwithstanding this was declared by the Eclipse of the Sun.

But wée haue to note, that in respecte of the Iewes, the death of our Lorde Iesus Christe ought to bée taken ⟨image 77⟩as it were for a most terrible offence, and surely God greatly detested their villainous iniquitie: because it surpassed all the rest. And to say the trueth, if murther and such like things are to be hated, what shall we say to the most wicked handeling of the Sonne of God? As to sée men to be so bewitched, euen to make no account of him who was the very fountain of life: and so to lift vp themselues as to abuse the memorie of him, by whom we were created, and by whose power we liue and haue our being. And yet the death of our Lorde Iesus Christ is become a swéete smelling sacrifice: for wée must haue continuall recourse to this,