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…

THE Prophet declareth here in sum, that our Lord Jesus Christ hath not only overcome death by death, But that he hath also a just title and interest to take away the substance of his enemies, and to make a spoil of them, even as a conqueror that hath won the field. In deed I must needs say this, that our Lord Jesus Christ enriched not himself with the goods of this world. But that which he did was to this end as I have said, to overcome death. We know that it was meet that Satan, who is said to be the Prince of this world, should be displaced of his kingdom: For if it had not been so, our estate had been most miserable. And besides, it was meet that sin should bear no more sway.¹ Thus we see how our Lord Jesus Christ made a spoil of his enemies, to wit, because we might be no more under the tyranny of Satan, & the bondage of sin, but be set at liberty. And to say the trueth, S. Paul alleging the saying of the Psalmist, showeth after what sort this place was fulfilled, when it is said, That God ascended on high, and lead captivity captive: and kept his enemies bound and fettered, so that they were not able to resist him: receiving also homage and tribute of men. Indeed David in that place speaketh by way of similitude: For when it is said that God ascended on high, it was because he made a show for a time as ⟨p. 140⟩though he had been a sleep: so that when things were after such a confused manner, it might make the faithful groan when as they see no help, and cause the wicked to run headlong into all licentiousness. Wherefore when there arise such troubles in the world, and that we think ourselves never a whit the better for the calling upon God, he is for the time as it were one that were lost, and that had hid himself. And contrariwise, by this reason, whenas God hath defended the cause of his Church, in destroying the enemies thereof David saith, that he arose up. Howbeit S. Paul saith, That this was accomplished in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, because his majesty was darkened, and was had in no estimation of men for a season. And therefore it was meet, saith he, that he should come down on the earth, and be contemned of men, that he might in the end be so exalted, as that he might not only be simply and plainly honoured of men, but that he might also make a distribution of the spoils and tributes.

THE Prophete declareth héere in summe, that our Lorde Iesus Christe hath not onely ouercome death by death, But that he hath also a iust title and interest to take away the substance of his enimies, and to make a spoyle of them, euen as a conquerour that hath wonne the fielde. In déede I must néeds say this, that our Lord Iesus Christ inriched not himself with the goods of this world. But that which he did was to this end as I haue said, to ouercome death. Wee knowe that it was méet yt Satan, who is said to be the Prince of this worlde, should bee displaced of his kingdome: For if it had not béen so, our estate had béene most miserable. And besides, it was méete that sinne should beare no more sway.