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…

Howbeit we see that the women which are here named, forgot not to reverence our Lord Jesus Christ as their master, although they were greatly troubled with his death: whereupon may consequently be judged, that the word of God was deeply rooted in their harts: for although their faith was weak, yet sought they for our Lord Jesus at the Sepulchre. And as for ignorance, it, could no ways excuse them, because they should have lifted up their minds into heaven, looking from thence, the resurrection that was promised them seeing it was appointed out unto them by name to be the third day. Now, their minds were so occupied, as that they could not comprehend the principal matter, to wit, ye our Lord Jesus should overcome death, that he might thereby obtain life and salvation for us. I call it, the principal point, because that without it (as Paul sayeth) the Gospel should have been in vain, & our faith in vain.¹ Even so although these poor women, had a good mind unto the Son of GOD, and knew that the Gospel which was preached unto them, was the very truth: yet were they so troubled, and in such a maze, as that they were not able to reach unto the depth of his resurrection: and therefore came unto the Sepulchre with their sweet ointments. Now, this was a fault worthy condemnation: and yet God accepted of their ministry: for he excused that, their amazedness, until he had brought them back to the consideration of the matter. Hereby we see, that when our Lord alloweth of any thing we do, it is so far of, that we should make an account, that we have deserved any thing, as that contrariwise, he of his free mercy and goodness alloweth the thing, which inverideede was not worthy to be offered unto him. For God may always have good occasion to condemn our works, if he would straightly examine them: because they shall never be found unspotted. Howbeit, God spareth us, & is contented to receive the thing which we offer unto him, be it never so weak and faulty: so that we deliver it up in an assured and pure faith, and acknowledge, that he accepteth us, for Jesus Christ his sake.

Howbeit we sée that the women which are héere named, forgot not to reuerence our Lord Iesus Christ as their maister, although they were greatly troubled with his death: whervpō may consequently be iudged, that the word of God was déeply rooted in their harts: for although their faith was weake, yet sought they for our Lorde Iesus at the Sepulchre. And as for ignoraunce, it, could no waies excuse them, bicause they should haue lifted vp their minds into heauen, looking from thens, the resurrection that was promised them séeing it was appointed out vnto them by name to be the third day. Now, their mindes were so occupied, as yt they could not comprehend the principall matter, to wit, ye our Lord Iesus should ouercome death, yt he might therby obtaine life and saluation for vs. I call it, the principall poynt, because that without it (as Paul sayeth) the Gospell should haue bene in vaine, & our fayth in vaine.