A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

And thereupon also did hang the estimation of his doctrine, in that it should have the beginning and was received not as proceeding from an Apostle of Christ, but from some common disciple. On the other side he was overwhelmed with the majesty of great names and stiles. For they whereas they boasted them of the title of Peter and James and John, did challenge to themselves Apostolical authority. And had not Paul manfully resisted this boasting, he should have given room for a lye, and moreover should have suffered in his own person the truth to have been trodden down. Therefore doth he seriously contend about both, (namely) that he was an Apostle appointed of the Lord, and also that he was nothing inferior to the rest: but that he was of like right and dignity as they, even as he had like name with them. He might have denied either that they were sent by Peter and his fellow Apostles, or that they had any commandment from them: but this defence hath much more weight, that he giveth not place to the Apostles themselves: for if he had shunned that, he should have been thought to have distrusted his own cause. Jerusalem in those days was the mother of all Churches, for that the Gospel did flow from thence into the whole world, and it was as it were the principal seat of the kingdom of Christ. ⟨image 5⟩Whosoever came from thence into other Churches he was reverently received, and not without good cause. But many were swollen with a foolish glory, because they were familiar with the Apostles, or at the leastwise instructed by their teaching. Therefore nothing liked them, but that which they saw (done) at Jerusalem. all other rites or usages not there used, they not only rejected, but hardily also condemned. Such waywardness is a plague very evil: when we vvill have the fashion or custom of one Church to stand as a general law. And it riseth of a preposterous zeal when we are so wedded to some teacher or place, that without weighing the matter, we would bind all places and all persons to the sense and vvill of one man, and to the orders of one place, as to a general or common rule, although ambition is alway mingled to it: yea rather overmuch waywardness is full of ambition. But to return to these false Apostles:

And therupon also did hang the estimation of his doctrine, in that it should haue the beginning and was receaued not as proceeding from an Apostle of Christe, but from some common disciple. On the otherside hee was ouerwhelmed with the maiestie of great names and stiles. For they wheras they boasted them of the title of Peter and Iames and Iohn, did chalenge to themselues Apostolicall authoritie. And had not Paule manfully resisted this boasting, he should haue geuen roome for a lye, and moreouer should haue suffered in his owne person the truth to haue bene trodden downe. Therefore doth he seriously contend about both, (namely) that he was an Apostle appointed of the Lord, and also that he was nothing inferiour to the rest: but that he was of like right and dignitie as they, euen as he had like name with them. He might haue denied either that they were sent by Peter and his felowe Apostles, or that they had any commandement from them: but this defence hath much more waight, that he geueth not place to the Apostels themselues: for if he had shunned that, he should haue bene thought to haue distrusted his own cause. Ierusalem in those dayes was the mother of all Churches, for that the Gospel did flowe from thence into the whole worlde, and it was as it weare the principall seate of the kingdome of Christe.