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…

Therefore we see by the report of S. Luke, that the Apostles were not tied to any one certain place, neither did Jesus Christ ordain them to that end.¹ Preach ye the Gospel (sayeth he) too all creatures. And for that cause, according as occasion was given them, and as gaps were opened unto them for the preaching of the Gospel, they employed them selves about it, and were not tied any certain place. And why? For their commission reached further. Ye see then that the Apostles had charge too go too and fro, and had no resting place: that is too say, they had not the charge of any several Church committed unto them, so as they might say, here will I abide. As much is too be said of the Evangelists: for they went about the world too, except it were when they were called particularly too some place. After that manner had Timothy bin chosen for a time: howbeit for as much as he could ill be forborne in the office of an Evangelist, he was fain too shift his place,² now one where, and now another where. Titus was allotted too the Isle of Candy. True it is that he was not yet altogether settled there: but yet was he fain to hold him to that church, howbeit that he was removed too and fro, according as the present opportunity and need required. And herein we see how these lewd folk which would pervert all order of government, and seek nothing but confusion, do spite God, in saying that a man must not tarry always in one place, but follow the example of the Apostles. But that is a flat mocking of Jesus Christ, as we see by this text. Ye see then how we have too mark, that the Apostles were as Trumpets too proclaim the Gospel every where, and that they had Evangelists in like charge with them, too bear them company. But yet in the mean while there were Prophets also, which were conversant more in one place than in another, after as it pleased God to distribute his grace. Yet nevertheless there were of them in every Church, according as we see that in the Epistle too the Corinthians,³ that S. Paul standeth mightily upon that point, showing that the gift of prophesying ought too be preferred before all other gifts, because it is more profitable,⁴ and serveth more too the edifying of the Church. As touching Shepherds,