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…

True it is that by those words, we be done too understand also, that God distributeth offices among his Angels as pleaseth him, so as one hath a greater charge than another. Yet notwithstanding it is not in our power too know how the case standeth with them. Let us be contented too know it according too the measure of our faith, and only give ear too Gods word, and in all soberness learn of him, without giving bridle too our own fond curiosity, as a number do, whom we see disputing finely of the Angels, as though every of them would be marshal of Gods house, too place every of the Angels according too his degree. For there is not a more devilish malapertness, ⟨p. 54⟩than too babble in that sort of Gods secrets, further than God hath made us privy too them by his word. Therefore let us hold our selves contented, that the Angels (how noble so ever they be) are ordained too be the ministers of our welfare, by means of Jesus Christ. And whensoever we intend too have the familiarity (or acquaintance and help) of them: Let us not do as the Papists do, which have their peculiar prayers too make unto them: but let us repair too Jesus Christ: for by that means shall all things become common between them and us. When having spoken of the Church, we say, I believe the communion of Saints: it is certain that the Angels are comprehended therein, seeing that God employeth them too do us service. And why doth he so? It is not for that we be worthy of it: but because he hath gathered us all together under Jesus Christ. That therefore is the very bond of concord and brotherhood between us and the Angels.

Trew it is that by those wordes, wee be doone too vndestrand also, that God distributeth offices among his Angels as pleaseth him, so as one hath a greater charge than another. Yit notwithstanding it is not in our power too knowe how the case standeth with them. Let vs bee contented too knowe it according too the measure of our fayth, and onely giue eare too Gods woord, and in all sobernesse learne of him, without giuing brydle too our owne fond curiositie, as a number doo, whom wee see disputing finely of the Angels, as though euery of them would bee marshal of Gods house, too place euery of the Angels according too his degree. For there is not a more diuilish malapertnesse, ⟨p. 54⟩than too babble in that sort of Gods secrets, further than God hath made vs priuie too them by his woord. Therefore let vs hold our selues contented, that the Angels (how noble so euer they bee) are ordeyned too be the ministers of our welfare, by meanes of Iesus Christ. And whensoeuer wee intend too haue the familiaritie (or acquintance and helpe) of them: Let vs not doo as the Papists doo, which haue their peculiar prayers too make vnto them: but let vs repayre too Iesus Christ: for by that meanes shal all things become common betweene them and vs. When hauing spoken of the Churche, wee say, I beleeue the communion of Saincts: it is certeyne that the Angels are comprehended therin, seeing that God imployeth them too doo vs seruice. And why doth he so? It is not for that wee bee worthye of it: but bycause he hath gathered vs all toogither vnder Iesus Christ. That therefore is the verye bond of concorde and brotherhood betweene vs and the Angels.