A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…

and admonisheth that it is the token of a doting or frantic person, to take hold of vain shadows, when he may with his hands handle the firm and solid body. Furthermore our Sacraments do so figure Christ being absent as touching sight and distance of place, that they testify that he was once exhibited and showed, and now also do offer him to be enjoyed. They are not therefore bare shadows: but rather badges and tokens of the presence of Christ. for they contain that Yea and Amen of all the promises of God, which is manifested in Christ.

and admonisheth that it is the token of a doting or franticke person, to take holde of vayne shadowes, when hee may with his hands handle the firme and solide bodye. Furthermore our Sacramentes doe so figure Christ beeing absente as touching sighte and distaunce of place, that they testifie that he was once exhibited and shewed, and nowe also doe offer him to bee enioyed. They are not therefore bare shadowes: but rather badges and tokens of the presence of Christ. for they contayne that Yea and Amen of all the promises of God, whiche is manifested in Christ.

18 Lest any take from you.) He alludeth to rumours of wrestlers, unto whom the victory is on this condition appointed, if they faint not in the middest of their course, or after they have begun to wrestle. He putteth them in mind than that the false Apostles go about nothing else but to take from them the victory: because they lead them away from the rightness of their course. whereof it followeth that they are to be shunned no otherwise than most contagious plagues. ⟨p. 52⟩And the place is diligently to be marked: that all they who lead us away from the simplicity of Christ, do craftily bereave us of the reward of supernall calling. Meaning in humility. Something must be understood, and therefore in the Text I have put in To do it. For he showeth a kind of danger, that they ought to take heed of, as if he should say, They mean to deceive you of the victory, whatsoever they are that under the colour of humility and lowliness, commend unto you the service of Angels. For this they purpose, that you leaving the only mark should wander clean out of the way. I read lowliness and the service of Angels, joining them together. for the later of these followeth the former. As at this day the Papists, while they devise like Philosophers about worshipping of Saints, do pretend the same. For they gather their reason from the debasing or humbling of man, therefore we must (say they) seek Mediators, that may help us. But therefore hath Christ humbled and debased himself, that we may go straight unto him, although we be miserable and wretched sinners. I know that service of Angels, is otherwise expounded of many: namely for such service as is delivered unto men by Angels. for the Devil under this title doth always set out his jugglings and deceits. The Pope at this day boasteth all the trifles, wherewith he counterfeiteth the pure service of God, to be revelations. Even likewise in old time did the Clergy avouch to be by hand given them of the Angels, whatsoever superstitions they like lying Merchants told of or taught. And so they think that in this place are reprehended all feigned and forged services or worshippings, which are falsely commended and set forth under the Authority of Angels, but in my judgement he doth rather reprehend the devise or lye of serving the Angels.