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…

Now thereupon S. Paul applieth the ground which he handleth, unto the matter which he hath spoken here in general: that is too wit, that God created all things by our Lord Jesus Christ, too the end, that this wisdom should be known to the powers and principalities in the heavenly places, by the Church. In saying that God created all things by Jesus Christ, he bringeth us back again to the beginning of the world, where he speaketh of the renewment that was made, when God repaired the things that were decayed and scattered by Adams sin, according as we have seen heretofore, how it was Christs office to gather together all things that were scattered afore. For Adam had perverted and marred all order by his fall, so as there was nothing but confusion both in heaven and earth,¹ till all was mended again by Jesus Christ. Now then, the restitution that was made by our Lord Jesus Christ, may well be referred too this second creation, as though that at his coming God had set the world in his former state again, which had bin as it were crazed afore. Howsoever the case stand, both •wayne of them were done by Jesus Christ, that ⟨image 145⟩is too wit, as well the first creation as the second. And the conveyance is not amiss, in that S. Paul leadeth us from the one too the other, by the similitude which he setteth down here. Let us mark well therefore that all things were created in Jesus Christ, when he was ordained too be head of Angels and men:² yea and that although we had had no need of a redeemer, yet had our Lord Jesus Christ nevertheless bin stablished for our head.³ There remained no more too do, but too clothe himself with our nature, and too offer himself in sacrifice for the redemption of sinners: but yet for all that, he failed not too bear the office already of reconciling men unto God, and of joining them with the Angels of heaven. After that manner then were all things created in our Lord Jesus Christ. But here S. Paul meant purposely too lead us too the restorement, which was made at such time as Jesus Christ was given us too be our redeemer. For although the world ceased not too have some shape still, so as the sun and Moon shone bright, and the earth brought forth her fruits: yet notwithstanding, we know, that (as S.