and that he lacketh nothing but that he may be reckoned an Apostle in like degree of honour, as they. But it is worth the while to know why he took so great pains about the trial of his estimation. for so that Christ reign, and that the purity of doctrine remain sound, what skilleth it whether he be above Peter, or less then Peter, or whether they be all equal among themselves? If all must decrease, that only Christ may increase, unfruitful is the contention about the dignity of men. Moreover this may be demanded, why he compareth himself to the other Apostles, for what controversy had he with Peter and James, and John? to what purpose then did it belong, that those who were of one mind and good friends among themselves, should be at odds against themselves? I answer, that the false Apostles, who had beguiled the Galatians, to the end they might the better advance themselves, pretended the names of the Apostles, as though they had ben sent of them. This was a notable shouldering in of themselves, for that they were believed to be the Apostles deputies, and spake as it were out of their mouth: and in the mean while did pluck away from Paul the name and right of an Apostle. For they did object that he was not chosen of the Lord, one of the twelve, that he was never acknowled to be such an one by the college of the Apostles: and that not only he had his doctrine not from Christ, but not so much as from the Apostles, so came it to pass that not only the authority ⟨image 5⟩of Paul was diminished: but that he was as some one of the multitude, much baser then themselves. If the matter had been concerning persons only, it had been no great matter for Paul to have been reputed some common Disciple: but when he did see his Doctrine thereby begin to grow out of credit, and to be set less by: he ought not to hold his peace, but stoutly speak against it. This is the wiliness of the Devil, when he dareth not assail the Doctrine manifestly, with crooked mines to hurl down the majesty thereof. Let us remember than, that in the person of Paul the truth of the Gospel was assaulted, for if he had suffered himself to be spoiled of the honour of Apostleship, it followed that he had usurped more hitherto than was his right. and this false boasting would have made him been suspected in other things also.
and that he lacketh nothing but that he maye bee reckoned an Apostle in like degree of honour, as they. But it is worth the while to know why hee tooke so great pains about the triall of his estimation. for so that Christ raigne, and that the puritie of doctrine remaine sound, what skilleth it whether he be aboue Peter, or lesse then Peter, or whether they bee all equall among themselues? If all must decrease, that only Christ may encrease, vnfruitfull is the contention about the dignitie of men. Moreouer this maye bee demaunded, why he compareth himselfe to the other Apostles, for what controuersie had he with Peter and Iames, and Iohn? to what purpose then did it belong, that those who were of one mynde and good friendes among themselues, shoulde be at oddes against themselues? I aunswere, that the false Apostles, who had beguiled the Galathians, to the end they might the better aduaunce themselues, pretended the names of the Apostles, as though they had ben sent of them. This was a notable shouldring in of thēselues, for that they were beleeued to be the Apostles deputies, and spake as it vvere out of their mouth: and in the meane while did pluck away from Paule the name and right of an Apostle. For they did obiect that he was not chosen of the Lord, one of the twelue, that he was neuer acknowled to be such an one by the colledge of the Apostles: and that not only hee had his doctrine not from Christ, but not so muche as from the Apostles, so came it to passe that not onelye the authoritie ⟨image 5⟩of Paul vvas diminished: but that he was as some one of the multitude, much baser then themselues. If the matter had bene concearning persons only, it had bene no great matter for Paule to haue bene reputed some common Disciple: but vvhen he did see his Doctrine thereby beginne to grow out of credite, and to be set lesse by: he ought not to holde his peace, but stoutlye speake against it. This is the wylinesse of the Deuill, vvhen he dareth not assayle the Doctrine manifestly, vvith crooked mynes to hurle down the maiestie therof. Let vs remember than, that in the person of Paule the truth of the Gospell vvas assaulted, for if he had suffred himselfe to be spoyled of the honour of Apostleship, it followed that he had vsurped more hitherto than vvas his right. and this false boasting woulde haue made him bene suspected in other thinges also.
