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 having said, that we be so created again in the person of Gods son, and that he is our head, inasmuch as we be knit unto him by faith: he addeth, that it is a wisdom which the very Angels have not known, insomuch that they fare the better by our salvation, and have cause too honour God for preferring them so too the thing that was after a sort buried from them before. Some thinking this too be strange stuff, have bin of opinion, that S. Paul spake of the devils. But he speaketh expressly of the heavenly places, and meaneth too put a difference betwixt the chosen Angels, & the castaways. And again, too what purpose were it for the devils, too know Gods wisdom i• our salvation? It were too no purpose at all. There are others, which being not able too rid themselves of this text of Saint Pauls: have thought that the Angels are here among us, too be as scholars, and to hear the preaching of Gods word. But that is too fond and childish an imagination: for we know, that as well the doctrine, as the use of the Sacraments, are allotted peculiarly unto us of God, because of our rawness. The Angels of heaven have nothing too do, neither with Baptism nor with the Lords Supper. And why? ⟨image 146⟩For the Angels be altogether spiritual. But forasmuch as we creep here beneath, therefore we have need of such means as are convenient for our infirmity, too make us come by little and little unto God. Therefore the doctrine that is preached among us, serveth not for the instruction of the Angels. How then should it be understood, that the Angels were taught by the things which they see presently in the Church? Let us mark first of all, that although the Angels behold the face of God:¹ yet is it not meant that they be come too the perfection which is promised us: for that is reserved too the latter day, when all things shall be fulfilled.

Now hauing sayde, that wee bee so created agein in the person of Gods sonne, and that he is our head, inasmuch as wee bee knit vntoo him by fayth: he addeth, that it is a vvisdome vvhich the very Angels haue not knovven, insomuch that they fare the better by our saluation, and haue cause too honour God for preferring them so too the thing that was after a sort buryed from them before. Some thinking this too bee straunge stuffe, haue bin of opinion, that S. Paule spake of the diuels. But he speaketh expresly of the heauenly places, and meaneth too put a difference betwixt the chozen Angels, & the castawayes. And ageyn, too what purpose were it for the diuells, too knowe Gods wisdome i our saluation? It were too no purpose at all. There are others, which beyng not able too rid themselues of this text of Saint Paules: haue thought that the Angels are heere among vs, too bee as schollers, and to heare the preaching of Gods woord. But that is too fond and chyldish an imagination: for wee know, that as well the doctrine, as the vse of the Sacramentes, are allotted peculiarly vntoo vs of God, bycause of our rawnesse. The Angels of heauen haue nothing too doo, nother with Baptim nor with the Lordes Supper. And why?