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…

So then let us mark that the sovereignty & tyranny of the devil, is a just vengeance of God upon men for their sin. Let that serve for one point. And therefore let us not imagine that the devil hath the reins of the bridle laid loose in his neck, or that he hath liberty too do what he list, though God withstand him: but that we be left up and given over unto him. And too the intent we may yet better know this subjection, S. Paul sayeth that he is in the air, as he will speak more at large again in the end of the Epistle. He could have said simply, according too the prince that hath great power, according as our Lord Jesus sayeth,¹ that he is the strong man which possesseth the world in peace. Ye see then that the devil is called a prince, because he hath such power as we be not able too withstand.

So then let vs marke that the souerenitie & tyrannie of the diuell, is a iust vengeance of God vppon men for their sinne. Let that serue for one poynt. And therfore let vs not imagine that the diuell hath the reynes of the brydle layd looce in his necke, or that he hath libertie too doo what he liste, though God withstand him: but that wee bee left vp and giuen ouer vntoo him. And too the intent wee may yit better knowe this subiection, S. Paule sayeth that he is in the aire, as he will speake more at large ageyn in the ende of the Epistle. He could haue sayd simply, according too the prince that hath great power, according as our Lord Iesus sayeth,¹ that he is the strong man which possesseth the world in peace. Yee see then that the diuell is called a prince, bycause he hath such power as wee bee not able too withstand.

1. 1Luk. 3. d. 27.

And besides that: S. Paul giveth him his place in the air. Not ⟨image 81⟩