Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

And he sayeth purposely that Jesus Christ gave himself too the end we should the more boldly take hold of his Love. For we see here, that when our Lord Jesus Christ did put forth himself too make atonement between God and us, he spared not his own body & soul, insomuch that he endured extreme ⟨image 33⟩anguish in his foul, as he that was our borrow in the same, and bare the wrath of God in our behalf. And in his body also he endured all reproach and shame, and therewithal also the horriblest torments that could be devised and all this (as I said afore) showeth right well, that the love which he bare us was inestimable, sith he forgot himself after that sort for our sakes. But yet notwithstanding, herewithall S. Paul bringeth us always back too the will of God, too show that when our Lord Jesus Christ did in that wise perform all that belonged too our salvation, it was no let but that God in the mean while uttered his mercy in the same, according as it is said in another text,¹ that God so loved the world, that he spared not his only son, but delivered him to death for us. To the intent therefore that we should not think that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ too pacify God his father, was after such a sort that he persuaded him to alter his purpose, (as men are inclined to such gross & earthly imaginations:) S. Paul (to show us that God was not reconciled unto us after the manner of men) telleth us expressly that the cause why Jesus Christ was delivered for our sins, was for that God had so ordained it. For if a man be angry with his child, some other man may steppe in, too appease his wrath, and such a one shall supply the room of a third party. But the case stood not so with our Lord Jesus Christ when he offered himself in Sacrifice too do away all our sins, & to make us way unto God from whom we were shut out before. He came not as one that stepped in of his own head, and as though God had not meddled with the matter. How then? God (as hath bin touched not long since (did both hate us and love us before the reconciliation [was made.] And why loved he us? Because we be his creatures. And again, although he saw we were so wretched, and utterly forlorn & damned folk by reason of sin: yet notwithstanding he had pity upon us, & would not have mankind to perish utterly.

And he sayeth purposely that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe too the end wee should the more boldly take holde of his Loue. For wee see heere, that when our Lord Iesus Christ did put foorth himself too make attonement betweene God and vs, he spared not his owne body & soule, in somuch that he indured extreme