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, he ascended, to the end that sitting at the right hand of God his Father, he might govern the world: and so governeth it, as that he always assisteth his faithful ones, and hath a special care over them.

Moreouer, hée ascended, to the end that sitting at the right hand of God his Father, he might gouerne the worlde: and so gouerneth it, as that he alwayes assisteth his faithfull ones, and hath a special care ouer them.

Now, if Jesus Christ had continually abode with us, over and besides that we had been more given to superstition, he had not had the power to have had all things under his subjection. In deed he might have had it: But we speak not now of him, but according to that order which he hath set down in his Gospel. And to say the trueth, it were a foolish kind of reasoning to say, that otherwise he had not been able to have done either this thing or that, because his power is infinite. But yet he said after his resurrection, that God had given him all power and authority: and this is also our belief,¹ That he sitteth at the right hand of God his Father Almighty. What? is the meaning here of this, that he hath a seat, and sitteth in it? No, no▪ But this is it, that he is an assistant unto God, as his Lieutenant. For, if we would stand before the glorious Majesty of God, we should be crushed to powder: but because we might come unto him, we have for us there Jesus Christ, unto whom he hath given all things in subjection both in heaven and earth. And although our Lord Jesus had from eternity all power, yet we said not, that he sitteth at the right hand of God, until such time as we said that he was ascended into heaven. We see then that he had this preeminence over all, after that he was ascended. And here we have to note, that the principality which Jesus Christ had, is for us: because he hath no need of it himself, seeing he is everlasting with the Father. But what? he is at the right hand of God in our nature, And it is to this end, that we might be assured we shall take no harm being under his protection. In very deed, he is well contented that our flesh should be troubled, and that we should be wrapped in many miseries: But what then? He is always ready to stretch forth his hand to help us: and let us be assured, that although we abide it for a time, yet in the end it shall turn to our benefit. This then is it that we must understand, when we hear his ascension spoken of.