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…

Paul and his companion Barnabas ordained of them every where, and also how he commandeth Titus & Timothy to cause the churches to be so provided, as they might always have some Shepherd too guide them: for otherwise there would be nothing but disorder. Now then sith we see that the ⟨p. 178⟩choice of Ministers and Shepherds was made by the authority of Jesus Christ, and they had as it were their place appointed them, too say, Thou must look about thee here, as if a man were set in a bulwark or in some Tower to keep it, when it were in any danger: it becometh every man to keep his place, and not to covet too gad here and there, but too hold him self bound too the place where he is. This (say I) is the thing which we have too mark, when S. Paul speaketh of such a variety.

Paule and his companion Barnabas ordeyned of them euery where, and also how he commaundeth Titus & Timothy to cause the churches to be so prouided, as they myght alwayes haue some Shepherd too guyde them: for otherwyse there would bee nothing but disorder. Now then sith wee see that the ⟨p. 178⟩choyce of Ministers and Shepherdes was made by the authoritie of Iesus Christ, and they had as it were their place appoynted them, too say, Thou must looke about thee heere, as if a man were set in a bulwarke or in some Tower to keepe it, when it were in any daūger: it becommeth euery man to keepe his place, and not to couet too gad heere and there, but too hold him self bound too the place where he is. This (say I) is the thing which wee haue too marke, when S. Paule speaketh of such a varietie.

Too be short, let us learn that our Lord Jesus knew whatsoever was profitable for the welfare of his church, and that he showed it in having a care that the faithful might not want any thing, but that they might have sufficient and convenient means too draw them too the kingdom of heaven. Now a days we have no more the office of Apostleship (as I told you before:) neither have we any ordinary Evangelists: but yet for all that, God doth nevertheless draw us unto him, and give us all helps that are meet for us. In deed he chastiseth our unthankfulness, and because he sees his word despised, he gives us the things with a wet finger (as they say,) which we should have more fully, if we had such zeal to them as were requisite. Yet notwithstanding let us not think our state too be the worse, because we have none Apostles now adays: for it were more than needeth. It was right necessary, considering the confusion and disorder of the popedom, that God should stir up men which were not chosen according to the order of the Church: but yet he gave them grace, and they served his turn. But now that there is order set both here and elsewhere where the Gospel is preached: we must come back too the thing before alleged, namely that when God giveth us such Shepherds as labour too guide us faithfully, and thereunto we have Teachers also, which are able too maintain the pureness of the doctrine among us, and too strengthen us in the pure truth of the Gospel, and too withstand all sects and errors: we must understand that that grace ought too be so esteemed, we must not grudge against God. Moreover it is very certain, that if the Gospel were received with such reverence and earnestness, as it deserveth: God also would be more bountiful on his side. Whereas we see now so few good Preachers, yea & that there step up a sort of dirtdaubers worse than naught, and far lewder than the Monks in the popedom, which are as ready to preach Mahomets Alcoran, as