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…

it serveth well too show us, that whensoever there is any speech of our calling, that is too say, of the mercy that God hath showed us in forgetting what we were, and in fashioning us anew after his own image, insomuch, that whereas we were lost, and forlorn, yea and utterly drowned in the bottom of hell by Adam, he hath set us up again, and taken us up too the kingdom of heaven, and is not contented too show us his bounteousness in this world only, but also intendeth too make us partakers of his endless glory, and too give us the crown of life in his kingdom: it is a thing for us too learn too wonder at, too the end we may receive so great, so high, so excellent, and so worthy benefits, with such reverence as they deserve.

it serueth well too shewe vs, that whensoeuer there is any speache of our calling, that is too say, of the mercie that God hath shewed vs in forgetting what wee were, and in fashioning vs anew after his owne image, insomuch, that wheras we were lost, and forlorne, yea and vtterly drowned in the bottome of hell by Adam, he hath set vs vp ageyn, and taken vs vp too the kingdome of heauen, and is not contented too shewe vs his bounteousenesse in this world only, but also intendeth too make vs partakers of his endlesse glory, and too giue vs the crowne of lyfe in his kingdome: it is a thing for vs too lerne too woonder at, too the end wee may receyue so great, so hygh, so excellent, and so worthie benefites, with such reuerence as they deserue.

And Saint Paul not only here,¹ but also in other places calleth the Angels, Principalities, too show us, that we cannot deuyze any thing so high and noble, which is not inferior too Jesus Christ, as is declared more fully in the first too the Colossians. For inasmuch as many men did even at that time magnify the Angels, too deface the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ: S. Paul showeth, that although the Angels be as it were Gods powers or virtues,² and his arms wherewith he executeth his works: and although they be dominions and powers: yet notwithstanding Jesus Christ ceaseth not too have all preeminence and authority over them: but like as the sun darkeneth the light of the Stars, so must all the dignity of the Angels be laid down, that it hinder not Jesus Christ too be looked at of all men, and to be the only Loadestar, and too be known that it is only he in whom lieth the fullness of all good things: and so is he in deed, as is said in the same text. And it is a point well worthy too be marked still. For we see how it is enough now adays among the Papists, too allege the virtues of the Apostles, or of the Virgin Mary, or of the Saints, too make idols of them. And it seemeth too them on the contrary part also, that if men do not worship them, and pray unto them, and yield them the seruis which belongeth only unto God: they be utterly undone.