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…

We see now what we are to consider of in this first place: For either God must at pleasure have thus afflicted his only son, or else have showed us what we deserved for the grievousness of our sins: to wit, that we are blame worthy of all hands. In very deed we cannot a way with the least punishment that may be: and besides, we are so effeminate and impatient, as that if our credit be touched, we will eftsoons, wonderfully storm: and all this is because we know not what we are, neither judge we whether we be rightfully or wrongfully blamed.

Wée sée now what we are to consider of in this first place: For either God must at pleasure haue thus afflicted his onely sonne, or els haue shewed vs what we deserued for ye greeuosnes of our sins: to wit, that wee are blame worthie of al handes. In very deede wee cannot a way with the least punishment that may be: and besides, we are so effeminate and impacient, as that if our credit bée touched, we will eftsoones, wonderfully storme: and all this is because we know not what we are, neither iudge wée whether wée bée rightfully or wrongfully blamed.

Wherefore, let us well consider, that although the rebuke and shame which we deserve, are abolished in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet is it meet that God should move and stir us to ⟨p. 125⟩repentance: & although we would not by our wills enter into the trial and examination of our shame, yet raiseth he up men to awake us: and the more that we would go about to hide our faults by vain excuses, the more layeth he our shame open before us, to the end it might be known, Saint Paul amongst the fruits of repentance, setteth down this,¹ That when we think of our wicked life past, we should close our eyes, groan before the Lord God, and be ashamed of our selves. But what is he that doth it so perfectly, as it ought to be done. Nay we rather seek after an hypocritical manner to forget our sins and iniquities: and GOD meaneth to remember us and to call us to an account, whenas he seeth us so slightly and cunningly hide them. But by the way, let us consider, that we may now present our selves before God and his Angels, and be assured that our sins shall not be laid unto our charge, neither yet our uncleanness be discovered, and that because our Lord Jesus hath borne such blame: neither was this by chance as we commonly say, neither yet did men falsely take this matter upon them against him, without the good will and pleasure of God: But because God had thus established the matter by his heavenly judgement. Now forasmuch as our Lord Jesus was just and righteous, it was also very meet that he should bear our burden upon him, being in this sort afflicted. And therefore, let us in the first place understand, that we deserve to have all rebuke and shame to be laid upon us: and yet for all this, that we are pardoned of the same, because he hath discharged us thereof, and hath made satisfaction for it in his own person. Thus we see why, and to what purpose the innocency and purity of the Son of God is here spoken of. For it is not set down to the end to excuse him, but for this cause, that we might feel what we are, and whether we must needs be brought, except we were redeemed and bought from it.