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 in good sooth, if only Judas's betraying of our Lord Jesus Christ had bin the cause of his death, and that he had bin haled to that kind of death by only violence: it could not be the foundation of our welfare. It behoveth us to note, that God had appointed the matter after that sort aforehand:¹ according also as Saint Peter treateth thereof more fully in the fourth chapter of the Acts, where he sayeth that our Lord Jesus was so crucified by the wicked, as they attempted not any thing, but that which had bin determined aforehand in Gods purpose.

And in good sooth, if onely Iudassis betraying of our Lorde Iesus Christ had bin the cause of his death, and that he had bin haled to that kind of death by onely violence: it could not bee the foundacion of our welfare. It behoueth vs to note, that God had appoynted the matter after that sorte aforehand:¹ according also as Sainct Peter treateth thereof more fully in the fourth chapter of the Actes, where he sayeth that our Lord Iesus was so crucified by the wicked, as they attempted not any thing, but that which had bin determined aforehand in Gods purpose.

1. 1Act. 4. d. 23.

Now then, whereas it is said that our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, we must come too this point, that all was done for our salvation, because it was Gods will too reconcile us too himself by that mean: and that when he pronounced this sentence, cursed is he that hangeth on tree, so as it was his pleasure to have it registered in the law of Moses: he was not ignorant what should happen afterward: for he had already determined and ordained it. Then must we match these two things together: that is too wit, that God with his own mouth said determinately that who soever hung upon tree should be accursed: and yet for all that, that it was his will therewithal, that his own Son should be hanged on tree. And why so? Too the end he should bear our burden, according as he is our pledge, & ordained to be the principal debtor in our behalf. To the end then that we might be set free from the curse of the Law, Jesus Christ became accursed. Now at the first