Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

Thus then we see what is the effect of that which we have to consider of, when as this saying of intercession is here spoken of. To be short, as often as the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is talked of, let us join thereto eftsoons the prayer which he made once for all, to the end it might remain for ever, and work his effect: For it is not now needful for our Lord Jesus Christ to kneel on his knees before God his Father, to pray unto him: In deed it is said, that he will make always intercession for us. But how? Forsooth, even by the power of his death and passion, and by the prayer that is made at this day. For, through the power thereof we are heard, as if he him self at this day spake for us, and besides (as I have said) all our prayers are sanctified by him, otherwise they should be but profane. And to say truly, as often as the faithful prepare themselves to pray unto God, They (where the Papists sprinkle holy water, as they call it, about, and charm & conjure, or rather mask & mum) should feel that their prayers are besprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ, to the end they might be pure and clean, and that God might receive them as a sweet smelling sacrifice. And hereupon, let us understand that our Lord Jesus Christ was not a sacrificing Priest for a day only, but keepeth that office still even unto this day, and for ever, that we might always feel the fruit thereof. Now, if this had been rightly known, men would not have exceeded (as hath come to pass) in so many villainies & superstitions. For, we see how the Papists at this day wander about like miserable stray beasts, not knowing which way or path to take, to pray unto God. For they have an infinite number of Patrons and Advocates, and every man buildeth upon his own Patron and Advocate. In deed, they have many common and ordinary ones, but yet after all their kyries (as they say) every man will say his devotions to the Saint which he hath forged unto him self. Thus we see how Jesus Christ is robbed of his honour and glory. And this is out of all doubt, that when they are not contented with Jesus Christ, it must be that the Devil hath possessed them, and put them in such a fury, as it were, to despite God, who speaking of Jesus Christ in giving him that office, they have given the right of it to this body & that.

Thus then we sée what is the effect of that which we haue to consider of, when as this saying of intercession is here spoken of. To be short, as often as the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ is talked of, let vs ioyne theretoo eftsoones the prayer which he made once for all, to the ende it might remaine for euer, and woorke his effect: For it is not nowe needfull for our Lorde Iesus Christ to kneele on his knees before God his Father, to pray vnto him: In deede it is saide, that he will make alwayes intercession for vs. But howe? Forsooth, euen by the power of his death and passion, and by the prayer that is made at this day. For, through the power thereof we are heard, as if he him selfe at this day spake for vs, and besides (as I haue saide) all our prayers are sanctified by him, otherwise they should be but prophane. And to say truely, as often as ye faithfull prepare themselues to pray vnto God, They (where the Papists sprinkle holy water, as they call it, about, and charme & coniure, or rather mask & mumme) should féele that their praiers are besprinckled with the blood of Iesus Christ, to the ende they might be pure and cleane, and that God might receiue them as a swéete smelling sacrifice. And herevpon, let vs vnderstande that our Lorde Iesus Christ was not a sacrificing Priest for a day onely, but kéepeth that office still euen vnto this day, and for euer, that we might alwayes féele the fruit therof. Now, if this had been rightly knowne, men woulde not haue exceeded (as hath come to passe) in so many villainies & superstitions. For, we sée howe the Papists at this day wander about lyke miserable stray beasts, not knowing which way or path to take, to pray vnto God. For they haue an infinite number of Patrones and Aduocates, and euerie man buildeth vpon his owne Patrone and Aduocate. In déede, they haue many common and ordinarie ones, but yet after al their kyries (as they say) euerie man will say his deuotions to ye Saint which he hath forged vnto him self. Thus we see how Iesus Christ is robbed of his honour and glorie. And this is out of all doubt, that when they are not contented with Iesus Christe, it must bee that the Deuill hath possessed them, and put them in such a furie, as it were, to despight God, who speaking of Iesus Christ in giuing him that office, they haue giuen the right of it to this bodie & that.