The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

For he showed not himself as a great prince, neither used he any pomp or trains of men too make himself dread in the world: ⟨p. 171⟩but (as it is said in the two and fortieth of Isaiah) he brake not the bruised reed,¹ he quenched not the smoking flax, neither was his voice or cry heard in the streets.² Again, besides this we see how he suffered reproach, and how he abode it patiently: when he came too his death, all men seemed too have conspired against him. Therefore we must add all these qualities too know how Jesus Christ descended into the low parts of the earth. Howbeit, if we compare his divine majesty with our nature, we may well call all the earth the low places: & although Jesus Christ had possessed the whole world: yet had it bin nothing in comparison of his heavenly glory. For what are they which are in highest state of dignity? They do but crawl here like Frogs,³ or (leap) like Grasshoppers, as saith the Prophet Isaiah. No marvel than though the whole earth be termed a low and base place in respect of heaven. Howbeit Saint Pauls intent here was too note briefly, that Jesus Christ vouchsafed too stoop so low, as too become a mocking stock too the unbelievers, yea and even too be condemned and esteemed as a man accursed and forsaken of God, all which things he endured for our salvation. It is good reason therefore that we should mildly and without gainsaying receive Gods humbling of us,⁴ and bear in our selves the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, by being shaken of, despised, and mocked for our simplicity, and that no man should ••ke upon him, or challenge too himself the things that are none of his. That, is the effect of Saint Pauls meaning.

For he shewed not himself as a great prince, nother vsed he anie pompe or traynes of men too make himself dread in the world: ⟨p. 171⟩but (as it is sayd in the two and fortith of Esay) he brake not the broozed reede,