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…

For we cannot cause him too be qualified as he ought too be. But when men are of Gods own choosing, so as he beareth the whole sway: then are the gifts joined inseparably with their charge.¹ When our Lord Jesus chose his Apostles, he chose silly fishermen, & such as were unlearned, & yet did he serve his turn with them for the publishing his of Gospel: howbeit not too teach as yet, but too go abroad as his heralds, too give warning that the King was come. But when he intended too send them forth too their office for ado, he sent them the holy Ghost,² showing thereby (as is said in many other texts,) that all things requisite for the welfare of the Church, must needs come of his free gift, because it is well known that all things proceed of him, too the end ⟨image 199⟩that all praise should be given unto him. Then is it no marvel that S. Paul speaking here of the diversity of gifts, and of the measure that it hath pleased God too deal too every man, doth send us purposely too the offices. As if he should say, It is not without cause that God distributeth not his gifts in alike too all. For he will not have all men Shepherds, or Prophets, or Teachers, or Apostles, or Evangelists: but he calleth whom he thinks good, and therein trieth our humility, and therefore if we be willing too be subject too him, let us not stick to take all authority in good worth, which is grounded in him, and upon his ordinance. Now it is so, God letteth many men alone in private state, and in the mean while chooseth whom he thinks good too preach his word. Therefore men must hold them there.

For wee cannot cause him too bee qualified as he ought too be. But when men are of Gods owne choozing, so as he beareth the whole sway: then are the giftes ioyned inseperably with their charge.¹ Whē our Lord Iesus choze his Apostles, he choze sillie fishermē, & such as were vnlearned, & yit did he serue his turne with them for the publishing his of Gospel: howbeeit not too teach as yit, but too go abroade as his herawltes, too giue warning that the King was come. But when he intended too send them foorth too their office for adoo, he sent them the holy Ghost,