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…

Thus we see how the judgement of everlasting death was prepared for us, until such time as our Lord Jesus Christ had discharged us thereof. And to say truly, how had we been ever able to have discharged it, except he who had a most triumphant power over all creatures, had placed himself in our steed, and supplied our wants? Thus we see how our Lord Jesus Christ bare the sins and iniquities of many.¹ Indeed this saying of many, is oftentimes taken for all. True it is that our Lord Christ offered up himself for all the world, for it is not spoken by three or four, when it is said, God so loved the world that he spared not his only son. But by the way, we must note, that which the Evangelist further saith in this place, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We see then that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for all, so that neither great nor small can excuse themselves at this day, since by him we may be saved. And therefore the unbelievers who by their wickedness turn a side, & deprive themselves hereof, are at this day twice guilty. For what colour can they set in it to excuse their unthankfulness, in that they receive not the benefit, whereof they might be partakers through faith. Wherefore let us here learn, that although we should come by heaps unto our Lord Jesus Christ, one of us should be no let to another, but that he is able to suffice every of us. Indeed if the question were to be holpen & eased by a mortal man, it were another matter. For, if one should come & say, I beseech you ⟨p. 142⟩bear this burden for me and another say as much, and so an hundred at once: surely, although he were very desirous to help and ease them all, it could not be chosen but that they would make his shoulders crack: for, it were impossible for him to be of that strength to bear all that they would lay upon him, And so likewise if the question were of borrowing, for put the case that they were hungry, and thirsty, and should go to some man & beseech him to give us meat and drink, and it may be that he were well able to bestow meat and drink of a dozen persons: But if there should come such a great number as that his victuals should fail him, we should see him come short of his reckoning. So then, with us men, it is meet that when a great number have need, that there should be also many to help and aide them:

Thus we sée howe the iudgement of euerlasting death was prepared for vs, vntill such time as our Lord Iesus Christ had discharged vs therof. And to say truly, how had we béen euer able to haue discharged it, except hée who had a most triumphant power ouer all creatures, had placed himselfe in our stéed, and supplied our wants? Thus wée sée howe our Lord Iesus Christ bare the sinnes and iniquities of many.