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…

Moreover, the Prophet namely useth the self same words, to the end we might understand, that whatsoever is here spoken of him, is for the common benefit & welfare of the whole church. Now, we must consider whereunto it was, that Jesus Christ was called: to wit, to be the Redeemer of all the faithful and chosen people of God. And therefore, since this charge was committed unto him, and that he was so called, let us not stand in doubt, but that whatsoever is said of his person, is common to us, and that the benefit thereof shall redound unto us, which hereafter we shall see. And thus much of the meaning of the Prophet. Now it is said, that Jesus Christ being called: which was to an office to save those that are his, should flourish, and be wonderfully exalted and magnified,

Moreouer, the Prophet namely vseth the selfe same woordes, to the ende wee might vnderstand, that whatsoeuer is héere spoken of him, is for the common benefite & welfare of the whole church. Nowe, we must consider whervnto it was, that Iesus Christ was called: to wit, to be the Redéemer of al the faithful and chosen people of God. And therefore, since this charge was committed vnto him, and that he was so called, let vs not stande in doubt, but that whatsoeuer is saide of his person, is common to vs, and that the benefite thereof shall redound vnto vs, which héereafter we shal sée. And thus much of the meaning of the Prophet. Now it is said, that Iesus Christ being called: which was to an office to saue those that are his, shoulde floorishe, and bee woonderfully exalted and magnified,

This was spoken to this end, that all the faithful might be armed against the temptation wherewith they might be attempted before Jesus Christ should appear in glory and majesty, that is to say before that he, who was God eternal, and full of glory, were manifested in the flesh. For when the Jews were translated into Babylon (as hath been before said) then was the dignity of David his line clean scraped out and defaced. Howbeit this is ⟨p. 93⟩true in deed, that after the return of a few of them, there was one Zorobabell who was taken for a Captain and chief: But he ware no Kingly Diadem or Crown, he had but a certain title of honour given him: because the people bear always a reverence unto the house of David. Thus we see (I say) that Zorobabell was obeyed: yea forsooth, but yet there was no show of government in him. And therefore it was meet that the faithful should be armed against such a temptation, & that God should assure them that the Redeemer should come, and notwithstanding that the earth and all bottomless depths should open to give him place to come out, and that he might be advanced aloft, yet for all that, must this thing needs come to pass. And so, it is not to be doubted, that the Prophet maketh here a comparison between two contrary things: that is, that Jesus Christ must be as it were long time hid, yea, & as one plunged over head & ears in the bottomless depths: & besides, that when he should come, that he should not come in such great glory & pompous show, as that men should make any great estimation of him: But contrariwise, that he should be naught set by, or else so contemptible, as that a man would think, the salvation of the people, should never be accomplished, and brought about, by his mean: & yet should he be exalted. But it is a great deal more plainly expressed, when as the Prophet saith, That he was more disfigured then any man, & no form nor fashion to be seen in him, as if he were not worthy to come into the company of men, but to be taken to be a most detestable fellow, & the very countenance of him, only to be abhorred. Thus we see the pretence of the Prophet, in saying that Jesus Christ was exalted. Here are then two things, which should seem at the first sight, to be nothing like, nor possible to be reconciled: to wit, that Jesus Christ was not to be known: to be sought for, and not found: