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…

And now too the intent we should learn too content our selves the better with Jesus Christ alone, and not wander here and there as we ⟨p. 53⟩be wont too do: S. Paul addeth expressly, that he was set above all mightiness, sovereignty, principality, and power. No doubt but that he meaneth the Angels: howbeit he hath used this manner of speech, to hold us the better too our Lord Jesus Christ, that no fancy might turn us from him: as if he should say, although God have imparted some portion of his glory, dignity, and power among the Angels: yet doth it no whit diminish, that which he hath given too Jesus Christ: and therefore, we shall find in him all things that are needful, so as we need not too gad here and there for them, neither is it lawful too join any companion with him, because all preeminence, and whatsoever else may be thought or devised too be most noble and excellent, is there, that is too say, in our Lord Jesus Christ, and he (only) is too be sought unto, as Paul himself sayeth also in the first too the Colossians. For it is not now alate that the world hath sought occasion too turn away from our Lord Jesus Christ, under colour of seeking too the Angels of heaven. We see how Gods creatures are always drawn too some superstition, and men make Idols of them, because God executeth his sovereignty by the Angels,¹ and they be as it were his hands, his officers, and his instruments. That is the cause why men think them selves too have done much in betaking themselves too S. Michael,² or too S. Gabriel, or too I wot not whom else. For (as I said) it is not a vice newly devised: the devil who is the father and author of lying, hath entangled men at all times with such fancies, yea and even the Christians have followed the example of the heathen mens doings in that behalf. For the heathen men have always surmised the Angels too be as half gods, and thought too have them as their mediators, whereby too come unto God, because they were not worthy of themselves. And even after the same manner, talk the Papists at this day. Now, the selfsame abominations began too be builded upon the earth even in S. Pauls time.

And now too the intent wee should lerne too content our selues the better with Iesus Christ alone, and not wander heere and there as we ⟨p. 53⟩