Calvin has gone to great pains in the previous chapters to convince us that we are vile creatures. He has argued that we sin voluntarily and necessarily. But, God's sovereignty extends over everything - the devil and the actions of wicked men. So, how does God interact within such a cesspool? Does God author evil things?
Calvin says it is very 'easy' to describe God's sovereignty even in the context of Satanic evil. Calvin's formula is to examine what the intended end was, and then look at the means of execution of any particular action.
Take God's servant Job, for example. God allowed that poor sucker to get destroyed in various and terrible means. The intention of this was to 'exercise the patience' of Job via 'adversity'. He allowed the devil to do his worse and he allowed the Chaldeans to run amok through Job's life. Satan wanted to destroy Job. The Chaldeans wanted to take job's stuff. So, we cannot ascribe to God the evil that was instigated by evil beings. They did it as an act of their own will, even though God was ultimately in charge.
Calvin says that he does not suffer from the squeamishness that Augustine and other predecessors suffered from. They hesitated to describe God in such away. But, not Calvin. He barrels right into it, and says it like it is. God is completely sovereign. Everything falls into his purview, even wickedness.
But, Calvin denies that God is responsible for any of the damage done or evil wrought. God only allowed evil creatures to do what they wanted to. His hands are clean.
What a bunch of bullshit. That is like going to a puppet show with your kids and the puppeteer keeps cussing and swearing.
"Hey!" you yell to the puppeteer. "Lay off the swears, pal!"
"It wasn't me," he responds. "It was theses potty mouthed puppets."
You don't buy it, of course. "Well, aren't you controlling them? Aren't you making their voices and causing their actions?"
"Yes, of course," answers the puppet master, "but they are very evil, you see, and there are times that I allow them to exercise their evil for the greater good!"
"What good is cussing in front of kids?"
The puppeteer looks at you like you asked an obviously silly question. "Well, that is how you can admire my masterful skills!"
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