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…

Seeing then that this order is not of men, let us learn ⟨image 198⟩too submit our selves unto it, and let all of us both great and small without gainsaying, suffer God too guide us […] that mean, seeing it hath pleased him too appoint it. Also we see how Gods children are called the children of the Church. And S. Paul showeth that our Lord Jesus will reign over us,¹ with condition that his word be always in mens mouths. He sayeth not, that the Angels shall come to reveal unto us the things that God will have us too know: but he saith, that we must understand Gods will by their means which have the charge and office too tell it us. For like as in the time of the Law, it was said,² that the Priests were Gods Angels, and that men ought too inquire at their mouth: so now also God will not have us too flitter in the air after our own fancies, but too go too the fountain which is open for us when we list too drink. If a man would go seek the head and wellspring of a fountain (I mean as it is hidden in the earth) and would hold scorn too drink until he had found it: would not men take him for stark mad and beside him self? Yes that would they. But behold, God hath provided for our infirmity, in that he will not have us too make to long windlasses too be taught his word faithfully. For he maketh the wellspring too come home too us, which was hidden and far of from us, I say, he maketh it to come home too us as it were by Conduits, so as we need do no more but open our mouths too receive it. Like as when there are fair Conduits that run with continual water abundantly, men will come too draw at them for their needs: so was it our Lords will that his word should be set forth unto us, by his ordaining of men too be the instruments of his holy spirit. Then seeing it is so, let us learn too hold us too it: and if we will be taught of God, let us receive the doctrine that is preached to us by the mouths of men. This say I, is the thing that we have too remember upon this text, too the intent we be not so foolish as too say, Why hath not God given me such grace or gift? Why is it his will too use such mean?

Seeing then that this order is not of men, let vs learne ⟨image 198⟩