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…

And that is also the cause why Saint Paul sayeth, having cleansed it. Then yieldeth he the dignity of cleansing us too our Lord Jesus Christ. True it is, that if he had not bin appointed too be the Mediator, he could not have done it: for it is a work altogether belonging too God: but forasmuch as he was sent too that end, and had that office committed unto him, therefore are we washed by him. And in deed it is not only in his humane nature that we be washed by his blood: but we must also bear in mind how the Apostle ⟨image 305⟩in the Epistle too the Hebrews,¹ saith, that he suffered in spirit. How in spirit? That is too say, his death must not be considered of us, as if a man dyed: but we must understand that he is in such wise the Son of God manifested in the flesh, as he hath uttered his everlasting power. And that when he was so abased, and emptied, although there appeared nothing but cursedness in his death: yet ought we too understand that he wrought in that behalf with a wonderful power, such as surmounteth all our understanding, and all that we can conceive. Ye see then that Saint Paul hath very well confirmed the thing that I told you, that is too wit, that all our faith is but a wavering and vanishing opinion, until it be so grounded in our Lord Jesus Christ, as it rest wholly there, and neither swerve nor stagger one way nor other. For as soon as we go about too add one thing or other too our Lord Jesus Christ: surely he shaketh us of, as unworthy too have any part or portion of his benefits. Therefore we must leave him that which is his own: that is too wit, that he only cleanseth us: according also as it is of his mere grace, that we have all righteousness before God.

And that is also the cause why Saint Paule sayeth, hauing clenzed it. Then yeeldeth he the dignitie of clenzing vs too our Lord Iesus Christ. True it is, that if he had not bin appoynted too bee the Mediator, he could not haue doone it: for it is a woorke altoogither belonging too God: but forasmuch as he was sent too that end, and had that office committed vntoo him, therfore are wee washed by him. And in deede it is not only in his humane nature that wee bee washed by his blud: but wee must also beare in mynd how the Apostle ⟨image 305⟩in the Epistle too the Hebrewes,