A17705:616
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…
The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur GoldingThe sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur Golding
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Lucas Harison, 1577
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now as touching the Office of Prophets: we have it not so excellent now adays (as it was then,) as men see. For God hath abated his gifts, because of the unthankfulness of the world. Not that he showeth not him self as liberal as is requisite for our salvation: but because that howsoever the world go, we be unworthy too have his treasures so largely poured out, as they had them at the first upspring of the Gospel: therefore doth he give us but a small portion of them▪ Howsoever we fare, the Prophets served too be as it were expounders of Gods will, and had a much higher understanding in the scriptures, than the common Teachers had, whose office was too instruct.
Now as touching the Office of Prophetes: wee haue it not so excellent now adayes (as it was then,) as men see. For God hath abated his giftes, bycause of the vnthankefulnes of the world. Not that he sheweth not him self as liberall as is requisite for our saluation: but bycause that howsoeuer the world go, wee bee vnworthie too haue his treasures so largely powred out, as they had them at the first vpspring of the Gospell: therfore dooth he giue vs but a small portion of them▪ Howsoeuer wee fare, the Prophetes serued too bee as it were expounders of Gods will, and had a much hygher vnderstanding in the scriptures, than the common Teachers had, whose office was too instruct.
As for the Shepherds which S. Paul speaketh of, they be the Ministers of the word, which have ordinary charge to teach in some place. As much is too be said of the Teachers, as we see by example of the Church of Antioch, in the thirteenth of the Acts.1 True it is, that none can be a Shepherd except he teach: but yet for all that, the Teachers have a several charge by th• selves: which is to expound the scripture, that there may be always a good & sound understanding of them, & that the same may have his […] in the Church, so as heresies & false opinions […] that the faith may abide […] and sure above all things. […] the Teachers