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

which is, that a man shall not find a steadfast foundation in any creature whereon to settle faith, but that God only must be the founder thereof, and although men be mean, and instruments of it, yet notwithstanding they have need too be authorised of God, and too have it known that he hath sent them and allowed them, and that they bring not any thing which they have not received of him. Now if a man have an eye too the virtues that were in Saint Paul, ⟨p. 35⟩certainly he deserved well too have some credit and audience among men. Yet notwithstanding he acknowledgeth and confesseth, that he is nothing as in respect of himself, and that all that ever he hath, is only to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, and to set forth the things faithfully which he hath received of him.¹ What shall we then say too such as have neither good life, doctrine or ought else? Whereas they call themselves Prelates, and take upon them some stateliness and superiority, so as their sayings go for saws: are they therefore advanced above S. Paul? [Admit they were:] yet must all loftiness of man cease, and be pulled down, so as nothing may hinder the exalting of Jesus Christ. As for example,² although S. John Baptist had record borne unto him that there was not an excellenter man borne of woman: yet notwithstanding he saith that both himself and others must be diminished,³ that Jesus Christ might grow and increase. Likewise S. Paul speaking of it in another place,⁴ saith that the Church must in such wise be builded, as our head Jesus Christ may always have preeminence.⁵ For if we should so advance men, that Jesus Christ should be defaced among them, that were a terrible building, and such a one as should bring nothing but ruin and confusion. And in good sooth, if a man should become as big as a Pillar of this Church, and his head of the bigness of ones fist, so as it should be hid between his shoulders: He should be a monster, and it were much better for him too keep his ordinary proportion. But like as the Church is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ: