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 further, too the intent that all replying should cease: he showeth what the power of the devil is. For he could have said in one word, ye have lived after the manner of the world, that is too say, devilishly, for so doeth the thing that he speaketh import: but in stead of naming the devil in one word, he sayeth first, according too the prince that hath his power in the air, and the spirit that worketh even now in the rebellious children. In saying, the prince that hath his power in the air, he disappointeth us of all starting holes. For it is not for n•ught, that the devil is named the prince of the world: and yet it is not for that he reigneth over the sun, the moon, the stars, ⟨p. 64⟩the skies, and the earth: but for that he holdeth us captive in his bonds: because we be not worthy too be governed by God. For had Adam continued in the soundness wherein God created him: God would have held us as his children. But after the fall of our first father, God left us, and Satan took us in possession. True it is that Satan cannot do any thing at all without Gods leave: for whereas he is named the prince of the world, it is not meant that he fighteth in such wise against God, as it cannot be known who is the stronger: that were a cursed blasphemy, and like these heretics, which seeing such phrases in the scripture, have imagined that the devil doth now and then resist God, and that he hath such force and power, that God is fain sometimes too give him place. But such words are stark madness. Nevertheless this sovereignty of Satan is Gods just vengeance, according as it is said, that he delivereth us into the hands of our enemies, when we cannot abide that he should reign over us. And so is that thing fulfilled and verified in us all. Forasmuch as God hath printed his mark in us, we ought too be governed by his spirit: but our father would needs exalt himself, he would needs set up his bristles against God, and he was not contented with his own state and bounds. Forasmuch therefore as he rebelled in that wise, and could not find in his hart too abide the sovereign dominion of God: he was given up too the devil, and made subject too him: and forasmuch as he could not abide that God should reign over him, he was fain too have another master, and that subjection must reach unto all men in general.

And further, too the intent that all replying should ceasse: he sheweth what the power of the diuell is. For he could haue sayd in one woord, yee haue liued after the maner of the world, that is too say, diuelishly, for so doeth the thing that he speaketh import: but in sted of naming the diuell in one woord, he sayeth first, according too the prince that hath his povver in the aire, and the spirit that vvoorketh euen novv in the rebellious children. In saying, the prynce that hath his power in the aire, he disappoynteth vs of all starting holes. For it is not for nught, that the diuell is named the prince of the world: and yit it is not for that he reygneth ouer the sonne, the moone, the starres,