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 it is true, that if we should not be able to bring in the law for a testimony, we should have somewhat a cold pull of it, But S. John giveth us a full proof that our Lord Jesus Christ was the true Paschal Lamb, since he was, by the wonderful providence and counsel of God, preserved, that there was not a bone of him broken.¹ For it said in Exodus, that the Paschal lamb should be eaten, but there should not one bone of him be broken. And why were not the bones of Jesus Christ crushed? since it ⟨p. 80⟩was the common manner at those days. Surely, their will was not to spare him, and he was hanged between two Thieves, because they thought him to be the most vile and detestable person. We see then here, that this was the work of God, in keeping back the hands of the Soldiers, and his will also was that his Son should make a speedy dispatch, to the end he would preserve him, and that it might be an evident sign unto us in this place, that in him the trueth of this ancient figure should be fulfilled. Here then are we to observe, that the bones of the Son of God were preserved from breaking, because we might take him for our Paschal Lamb, who should preserve us from the wrath of God, whenas we are marked with his blood. And therefore must we come to this point: that since he is our Paschal Lamb, we must eftsoons be dewed and sprinkled with his blood: for without that, the shedding of it will do us no good: But when we shall accept him with this Sacrifice, and seek remission of our sins also thereby, because we know that until he hath washed and cleansed us, we are very filthy, then are we be dewed with his blood, through the sprinkling of the holy ghost upon our souls, and so are made clean: and God accepteth and taketh us for his people, and we are assured that although his wrath and vengeance be over all the world, yet looketh he on us with his eye of mercy and alloweth us for his children. We see then in this place, what we are to consider, when it is said, That the bones of our Lord Jesus were not broken, to the end we might understand, that the thing which was declared by figure in the law, was verified in his body. And besides, it is also said, That water and blood issued out of his side, and he that saw it, bear witness thereof.

Now it is true, that if we shoulde not be able to bring in the lawe for a testimonie, we should haue somewhat a cold pull of it, But S. Iohn giueth vs a full proofe that our Lorde Iesus Christe was the true Paschall Lambe, since he was, by the wonderfull prouidence and counsell of God, preserued, that there was not abone of him broken.