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…

Although (say I) it seem that we ⟨image 73⟩have received right excellent gifts at Gods hand already: yet notwithstanding all is but wind and smoke, unless we hold out in the union of our Lord Jesus Christ. Herewithall it behoveth us too note also, that inasmuch as Christ is called a head, it is meet that all others should obey him, and that we should yield unto his doctrine, that he may rule all things as the head ruleth all the rest of a mans body. For the feet go, and the hands stir, and too be short, there is no part which is not willing and forward too do whatsoever the head shall appoint it. The like must be done in the Church: Jesus Christ must rule, and all men must quietly obey him. And so we have too mark in this text, first that our salvation doth so depend upon Jesus Christ, that there are neither Angels nor men, how holy soever they be, which have not need too receive at his hand, the things that they want in themselves. And therefore when we stand in need of any thing that is requisite, either for the present life, or for the heavenly life, either for our bodies, or for our souls: there is no running too S. Peter, nor too S. Paul, but we must go straight to our Lord Jesus Christ. Mark that for one point.

Although (say I) it seeme that wee ⟨image 73⟩haue receiued ryght excellent giftes at Gods hande already: yit notwithstanding all is but wynde and smoke, vnlesse wee holde out in the vnion of our Lord Iesus Christ. Herewithall it behoueth vs too note also, that inasmuch as Christ is called a heade, it is meete that all others should obey him, and that wee should yeelde vntoo his doctrine, that he may rule all things as the head ruleth all the rest of a mannes body. For the feete go, and the handes stirre, and too bee short, there is no part which is not willing and forewarde too doo whatsoeuer the head shall appoynt it. The lyke must bee doone in the Church: Iesus Christ must rule, and all men must quietly obey him. And so we haue too marke in this text, first that our saluation dooth so depend vppon Iesus Christ, that there are nother Angells nor men, how holy soeuer they bee, which haue not neede too receyue at his hand, the thinges that they want in themselues. And therefore when wee stand in neede of any thing that is requisite, eyther for the present lyfe, or for the heauenly lyfe, eyther for our bodyes, or for our soules: there is no running too S. Peter, nor too S. Paule, but wee must go streyght to our Lord Iesus Christ. Marke that for one poynt.