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

6 Let him minister.) It is very likely that even than the Teachers and Ministers of the word were not seen too. and yet for all that it is a very foul unkindness. For how heinous a thing is it to hold back from them bodily food, by whom our souls are fed? or not to vouchsafe them an earthly recompense, of whom we receive heavenly riches? But this is and hath been also in former times the manner of the World to pamper largely the ministers of Satan, but to godly Pastors to minister food hard and scant. And albeit it is not meet for us, neither too much to complain, nor to be too handfast of our right: yet ought ⟨p. 141⟩Paul to exhort the Galatians to perform their duty. wherein he was the more liberal and bold: because he pleaded not his own cause privately, but provided for the common utility of the Church, having no regard of his own commodity. He saw that the Ministers of the Word were therefore neglected, because the Word it self was contemned. for it cannot be, if the Word he had in estimation, but that the Ministers are also honestly and liberally handled. Moreover this is the wiliness of Satan, to defraud Godly ministers of their living, that the Church may be destitute of such. Paul for that he was careful as touching the preservation of the Ministry, commandeth a care and regard to be had of good and faithful Pastors. Take Word [Greek or Hebrew] for the Doctrine of godliness. He monisheth that they are to be nourished, by whom we are taught in the Word. by what right than are nourished in the Papacy either the idle bellies of dumb men, or else mad beasts, who have no fellowship with the doctrine of Christ?

6 Let him minister.) It is verye likelye that euen than the Teachers and Ministers of the worde were not seene too. and yet for all that it is a verye foule vnkyndenesse. For howe heynous a thing is it to holde backe from them bodilye foode, by whome our soules are fedde? or not to vouchsafe them an earthly recompence, of whome we receyue heauenlye riches? But this is and hath bene also in former tymes the manner of the Worlde to paumper largelye the ministers of Sathan, but to godlye Pastors to minister foode hard and scante. And albeit it is not meete for vs, neyther too muche to complayne, nor to be too handfast of our righte: yet oughte ⟨p. 141⟩Paule to exhorte the Galathians to perfourme their duetie. wherein he was the more liberall and bolde: because he pleaded not his owne cause priuately, but prouided for the common vtilitie of the Churche, hauing no regarde of his owne commoditie. He sawe that the Ministers of the Worde were therefore neglected, because the Worde it selfe was contemned. for it cannot bee, if the Worde he had in estimation, but that the Ministers are also honestly and liberalie handled. Moreouer this is the wilinesse of Sathan, to defraud Godly ministers of their liuing, that the Churche maye bee destitute of suche. Paule for that hee was carefull as touching the preseruation of the Ministerie, commaundeth a care and regarde to be had of good and faythfull Pastors. Take Woorde for the Doctrine of godlynesse. He monisheth that they are to be nourished, by whome we are taught in the Worde. by what righte than are nourished in the Papacie eyther the ydle bellyes of dumme men, or else mad beastes, who haue no fellowship with the doctrine of Christ?