The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

Again, a man might think it strange, that Saint Paul should say, that the devils are the principalities of the air, the lordships and powers of heaven, and the princes of the world: for a man would deem that he matcheth them against God. Now although some Heretics in old time have abused this place, intending too have made as it were two beginnings, so as God should be letted too maintain himself against Satan, and too defend those whom be hath taken into his protection: yet notwithstanding if we have an eye too Saint Pauls intent, this question will be easily resolved. And why? For here is no talk of any power that the devil should ⟨p. 327⟩have as it were in despite of God too advance himself against him: for we must rather stand fully resolved of this point, that the devil is the executer of Gods judgments, and cannot attempt any thing more then is granted and permitted him.¹ If there were no more but this text of the first chapter of Job, where the devil appeared with the Angels (who are named there the children of God) to get leave too do mischief: it ought too satisfy us throughly. True it is that he seeketh nothing else but too pervert and confound all things. But yet for all that, God holdeth him bridled, and executeth what he thinks good by his means, insomuch that when the devils have devised what they can, yet can they not attempt any thing without Gods leave, yea and except he have ordained it, and given them express charge to do this or that. Yet notwithstanding, it is not for nought that S. Paul nameth them the powers and principalities of the air: for all this dependeth upon the things that he will speak anon concerning the darkness of the world. But, that the devils should have superiority over mankind, which is shaped after the image of God, were against all reason: yea if we had continued in our soundness. Had we held out in the state wherein God created our father Adam, it is certain that the devil should not have had any advantage over us. But forasmuch as we be now overwhelmed with darkness, and become thralls of our own nature: therefore the devil is named the Prince of the world.

Agein, a man myght thinke it straunge, that Saint Paule should say, that the diuelles are the principalities of the aire, the lordshippes and powers of heauen, and the princes of the world: for a man would deeme that he matcheth them ageinst God. Now although some Heretikes in olde tyme haue abuzed this place, intending too haue made as it were twoo beginnings, so as God should bee letted too maynteyne himselfe ageinst Satan, and too defend those whom be hath taken intoo his protection: yit notwithstanding if wee haue an eye too Saint Paules intent, this question wil bee easly resolued. And why? For heere is no talke of any power that the diuell should