A17690:375
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…
Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ as also touching his passion, death, resurrection, ascension: together with the coming down of the holy Ghost upon his Apostles: and the first sermon of S. Peter. The order of which you shall find in the page ensuing.Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our Lorde Iesus Christe as also touching his passion, death, resurection, ascention: togeather with the comming downe of the holy Ghoste vpon his Apostles: and the first sermon of S. Peter. The order of which you shall finde in the page ensuing.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for George Byshop, 1581
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1This is it which S. Paul setteth forth in the Epistle to the Romans, where he saith, that he showed himself to be the son of god by his rising again. For if we do but only look into the life of Jesus Christ, as he lived here amongst men, and also into his death, we should never find that in him, which is requisite for our salvation. In very deed, the miracles which he did, the doctrine which he preached, and the rest of the signs which he showed, was sufficient to declare him to be the son of god, without our faith were to to weak. And yet should we remain always in shame and doubt to see Jesus Christ offer himself, as a common and contemptible man: and besides, it would make us more ashamed and grieved, whenas we should see him in the end subject to so cursed & shameful a death. But when we pass from his death, unto his resurrection, then we know, that our Lord Jesus Christ got the victory for us. And to the same purpose is that saying of S. Paul to the Corin. that although he was crucified in weakness,2 yet rose he again by the power of God his Father. So then, the order which the prophet here keepeth, tendeth to the same end, that we should not stand in doubt, but that our Lord Jesus Christ had life in his hand, and was Lord & master thereof. because it was seen in his own person. And therefore let us understand, that the son of God was made of no reputation for our sakes: because we know eftsoons, that he was not spoiled of his power: and although he kept it close for a time, yet have we such a sure testimony thereof in his resurrection, as that we shall not need to make any excuse, but fully and wholly believe in him: and boldly set our selves against hell, & sin: seeing Jesus Christ hath triumphed over them, and the hand of God sustained him to be exempt of all anguishes: and was exalted by himself to be God his Fathers lieutenant: & (as I have already said) to have the chiefest government in the world. This ⟨p. 118⟩then is the effect of the which we are to learn, whenas it is said. that he was lifted from out of prison, & judgement. Now, it must needs fall out, that our Lord Jesus should descend into the bottomless depths, before such time as he should be exalted into the glory of heaven: for if he had appeared only in majesty, how is it possible for us at this day to be assured, that our sins are forgiven us.