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

It were much better that we [preachers] were dumb and speechless, and that the hearers were deaf and blind, than to stand hearkening to a man that were not sent of God. For the chief honour that God requireth at our hands, is that we should be whist and hearken to his word, yielding him all authority, and holding our selves bridled and captive as under the royal sceptre whereunto he will have us too submit our selves. Now if a mortal creature should usurp this to himself: what a thing were it? So then let us mark well that S. Paul doth justly compare himself with an Angel, as in respect of his doctrine. And why? For he knew well enough he had not forged it of his own brain, but had received it of God. And that also is the cause why he addeth, as Jesus Christ. For surely our Lord Jesus Christ will have us too receive such as he ordaineth too be his ministers, as if he himself were here in visible shape among us.¹ He that he erreth you (sayeth he) heareth me. […] nevertheless it is certain that he ⟨p. 206⟩meant not too make idols when he ordained his Apostles and such as should be ministers of his word. He meant not that they should be worshipped in his steed: for out of all doubt, that preeminence is not to be given to the very Angels of heaven: and what shall be done too us then, which are but dung and rottenness? Howbeit, our Lord Jesus Christ regarded not what manner of ones men are, but meant too advance his own word, too the end that all men should submit themselves too it. Although then that we be but as brittle earthen pots, or rather already broken, so as we be nothing worth: yet must not the treasure of the Gospel which we bear abroad be therefore despised. For when Gods word is preached purely unto us, it is all one as if he dwelt among us, and appeared personally unto us, and it behoveth us too give a proof of our fear, love and obedience towards him, by receiving his word though it come out of a mortal mans mouth. And furthermore if we hold scorn of the Gospel, under colour and pretence that they which speak unto us are neither Kings nor Princes over us: let us assure our selves that that rebelliousness of ours heaveth at our Lord Jesus Christ. He that despiseth you (saith he) despiseth me: and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me. And this is well worth the marking.

It were much better that we [preachers] were dumbe and speechlesse, and that the heerers were deafe and blind, than to stand herkening to a man that were not sent of God. For the chief honour that God requireth at our hands, is that we should be whist and herken to his woord, yeelding him all authoritie, and holding our selues bridled and captiue as vnder the royall scepter wherevnto he will haue vs too submit our selues. Now if a mortall creature should vsurpe this to himself: what a thing were it? So then let vs marke well that S. Paule doth iustly compare himselfe with an Angell, as in respect of his doctrine. And why? For he knewe well inough he had not forged it of his owne brayne, but had receyued it of God. And that also is the cause why he addeth, as Iesus Christ. For surely our Lorde Iesus Christe will haue vs too receyue such as he ordeyneth too bee his ministers, as if he himself were heere in visible shape among vs.