The Institution of Christian Religion

Now it resteth, that we seek to mete with that superstition which is §10commonly wont to crepe in, where it is said: that Angels are the ministers & deliverers of all good things unto us. For by & by mans reason falleth to this point, to think that therefore all honour ought to be given them. So cometh it to pass that those things which belong only to God & Christ, are conveyed away to Angels. By this mean we see that in certain ages past, the glory of Christ hath been many ways obscured, when Angels without warrant of Gods word were laden with immeasurable titles of honour. And of all the vices that we speak against, there is almost none more ancient than this.¹ For it appeareth, that Paul himself had much to do with some which so advanced Angels, that they in manner would have brought Christ under subjection. And therefore he doth so carefully press this point in his epistle to the Colossians, that Christ is not only to be preferred before all angels, but that he is also the author of all the good things that they have: to the end we should not forsake him & turn unto them, which can not sufficiently help them selves, but are fain to draw out of the same fountain that we do. Surely forasmuch as there shineth in them a certain brightness of the majesty of God, there is nothing whereunto we are more easily inclined, than with a certain admiration to fall down in worshipping of them, & to give unto them all things that are ⟨image 56⟩due only to God. Which thing John in the Revelation confesseth to have chanced to himself, but he addeth withal, that he received this answer. §11See thou do it not. For I am thy fellow servant, Worship God.

Now it resteth, that we seke to mete with that superstition which is §10cōmonly wont to crepe in, where it is said: that Angels ar the ministers & deliuerers of all good thinges vnto vs. For by & by mans reason falleth to this point, to thinke yt therfore al honour ought to be geuē them. So cometh it to passe yt those things which belōg only to God & Christ, are conueied away to Angels. By this mean we se that in certaine ages past, the glory of Christe hath been many wais obscured, when Angels without warrant of Gods worde were loden with immeasurable titles of honor. And of all the vices that we speake against, there is almoste none more auncient than this.