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…

That they had crucified and slain Jesus Christ. And afterward saith, being delivered by the determined Counsel and foreknowledge of God. As if he should have said, Although he was delivered by wicked hands, and that you have put him to death, yet was it not done without the will of God. Now, it is not for naught that S. Peter added this saying, by the determined Counsel & foreknowledge of God: For the Jews might have replied and said, If it be so that the same Christ Jesus of whom thou so much speakest of, be the Messiah, why hath he suffered himself to be thus tormented and put to death? And this is a thing that will hardly persuade them: For we see even at this day how they mock & scorn at it, saying, If Jesus Christ had been the Son of GOD, how is it possible that he would abide the shameful death of the cross? And thus do the wicked vomit out this blasphemy, by reason of the object of the cross, because they think to be a thing derogatory from the Majesty of the son of God. And therefore S Peter preventeth these fantasies, which might be a let unto the Jews to believe his doctrine. And telleth them that none of all this gear came by fortune (as might have been judged) but even by the will of God. ⟨p. 193⟩Now if we rightly considered of the power of God, we should be clean void of all these fond imaginations. For, we know, that God is not without wit, and reason, and that whatsoever he did, he did it merely for the salvation of mankind. His resurrection also, is diligently to be observed of us, for as the death of Jesus Christ might give us occasion of offence, if we considered of it only by it self, even so, in his resurrection we see the wonderful power & glory of God, which might make us not to be offended whatsoever troubles and fantasies arise. And therefore S. Peter said, not without cause, that that which Jesus Christ suffered, was done by the foreknowledge of God. For it must needs come to pass, that Jesus Christ must be the offered up sacrifice, unto God his Father, to blot out the sins of the world. Wherefore, when we see the Counsel of God tend to such an end, let us understand, that whatsoever is done, is done for our benefit, & never enquire why Jesus Christ suffered, because we see therein, the infinite goodness of God: we see (as S. Paul saith) the love which appeareth unto us:¹

That they had crucified and slayne Iesus Christ. And afterwarde saith, being deliuered by the determined Counsell and foreknowledge of God. As if hée should haue said, Although hée was deliuered by wicked handes, and that you haue put him to death, yet was it not done without the wil of God. Now, it is not for naught that S. Peter added this saying, by the determined Counsel & foreknowledge of God: For the Iewes might haue replied and sayd, If it be so that the same Christ Iesus of whom thou so much speakest of, be the Messias, why hath hée suffred himselfe to be thus tormented and put to death? And this is a thing that will hardly perswade them: For wée sée euen at this day how they mocke & scorne at it, saying, If Iesus Christ had béen the Sonne of GOD, how is it possible that hée would abide the shamefull death of the crosse? And thus doe the wicked vomite out this blasphemie, by reason of the obiect of the crosse, because they think to be a thing derogatorie from the Maiestie of the sonne of God. And therefore S Peter preuēteth these fātasies, which might be a let vnto ye Iewes to beléeue his doctrine. And telleth them that none of all this geare came by fortune (as might haue béene iudged) but euen by the will of God.