Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

that is to wit, that all men as well great as small, must stoop, and the son of God must have the preeminence and masterhood, in such wise as there may be no mo Shepherds but he, and we all of us be his sheep. True it is that such as have the charge too preach the Gospel may well be called Shepherds: howbeit, that is not for that they may do any thing in their own name and authority, or that the same should impeach the superiority of the son of God. For as for me which do speak here now, I must not bring ought of mine, nor advance ⟨image 54⟩my self above others: for my speaking unto all this company is in such wise, as my doctrine must first be applied to my self, and [afterward] bear sway over all other men without any exception. For there is no highness in the world, which can exempt it self from the subjection which all of us owe too the son of God: according as we have seen heretofore, how it is the property of the Gospel to bring down all the glory of the world, so as men may not presume too set up their bristles, nor too challenge ought to themselves, but that such as ween themselves too be most excellent, may be utterly abased and made nothing, and all things be made captive to the obedience of the Gospel. And that is the cause why Saint Paul too confirm his doctrine, declareth that it came not of men, nor was learned in their schools: but that he had it of our Lord Jesus Christ, concerning whom the father gave commandment, that men should hear him. For that prerogative is given peculiarly unto him, and ought not to be communicated,¹ neither to any man, nor to any Angel of heaven. Good reason it is, that men which speak as instruments of our Lord Jesus Christ, should be heard: but (as I told you before) that is not to impeach the authority which he hath over us. But howsoever the case stand, the certain and infallible rule to attain to salvation, is that our Lord Jesus be the only master and teacher, and that we be teachable to receive his word without gainsay or replying. And Saint Paul thinks it not enough that he holdeth the things of Jesus Christ which he hath published: but also he utterly rejecteth & excludeth men in that behalf, to show that the authority of them were not sufficient to ground and settle our faith upon.

that is to wit, that all men as wel great as small, must stoupe, and the sonne of God muste haue the preeminence and maysterhood, in such wise as there may be no mo Sheepherdes but hee, and wee all of vs bee his sheepe. True it is that suche as haue the charge too preache the Gospell may well bee called Sheepheards: howbeeit, that is not for that they maye doo any thing in theyr owne name and authoritie, or that the same shoulde impeache the superioritie of the sonne of God. For as for mee whiche doo speake heere nowe, I muste not bring ought of mine, nor aduaunce