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…

Secondly also let us learn too suffer our selves too be ruled, and too be held in awe by the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thereby we may show our selves too be true members of his body. And he cannot be our head, but he must needs therewithal be our Shepherd too, and have all authority over us. But like as I told you that the devil hath laboured too deface the glory of Gods only son, under the pretence of Angels: so on the other side, he hath sent us an idol into the world, too be a bar in our way, that Jesus Christ might be as it were separated from us. For the Pope is not ashamed too spew out this blasphemy, that the Church should be but a headless body, if he himself reigned not over it, ne had the universal dominion of it, so as every man looked at him, and his seat were above the whole world. And that is as much as if he should say, that Jesus Christ hath no more too do here, but ought too hold him contented with heaven, and let his successor alone too rule in his stead. But herein we see how he overshoots himself, to abolish the whole sovereignty of the son of God. So much the more therefore doth it stand us on hand too bear well this Text in mind, wherein S. Paul sayeth, that Jesus Christ is appointed too be head of the Church above all things. It is true that the Pope will affirm himself too be but as ⟨p. 57⟩an underhead, and therefore that Jesus Christ is not thrust out of his place. But let us look back too that which I have touched already: which is, that Jesus Christ will have no imaginative title, but will have his power reserved unto him, which belongeth unto him. For a head requireth not only too be set highest: but also too have all men too receive all things from him: and it behoveth us all too understand, and that he is the very root of our life, and the fountain from whence it behoveth us too draw, notwithstanding that he send forth his spiritual benefits and goods among us, by such channels or pundits, as he thinks good. Thus ye see what we have yet further briefly too bear in mind.

Secondly also let vs lerne too suffer our selues too bee ruled, and too bee hild in awe by the hand of our Lord Iesus Christ, that therby wee may shewe our selues too bee trew members of his bodie. And he cannot bee our head, but he must needes therwithall bee our Shepherd too, and haue all authoritie ouer vs. But lyke as I told you that the diuell hath labored too deface the glorie of Gods only sonne, vnder the pretence of Angells: so on the othersyde, he hath sent vs an ydole intoo the world, too bee a barre in our way, that Iesus Christ myght bee as it were separated from vs. For the Pope is not ashamed too spew out this blasphemie, that the Chruch should bee but a headlesse bodie, if he himselfe reygned not ouer it, ne had the vniuersall dominion of it, so as euery man looked at him, and his seate were aboue the whole world. And that is as much as if he should say, that Iesus Christ hath no more too doo here, but ought too hold him contented with heauen, and let his successor alone too rule in his stead. But herein wee see how he uershoots himselfe, to abolishe the whole souereintie of the sonne of God. So much the more therefore doth it stand vs on hand too beare well this Text in mynd, wherein S. Paule sayeth, that Iesus Christ is appoynted too bee head of the Churche aboue all things. It is trew that the Pope will affirme himselfe too bee but as