Paule an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Iesus Christ, and by God the father, whiche raised him vp from death: and all the brethren, whiche are with me.
PAule an Apostle, and an Apostle of no meane sorte, (whiche I say), lest either some dispise me, as one of lesse reputacion, or with the power & authoritie of other Apostles abate and suppresse myne. For neither was I of any man putte in this commission and office as other some haue been, whiche either beyng but disciples & vnderlynges, to the Apostles auaunce them selues, as thoughe they were of the highest sorte, or els by vnlawfull meanes procuryng mens fauor, violently breake into the office of an Apostle. Nor was putte in authoritie to preache the gospel by any excellent person, but by Iesus Christ him selfe the sonne of God, who not with any mannes eleccion or consent had, commaunded me to be the preacher of the gospel, but by his owne mouth, what tyme he was becomen immortal, euen from heauen called me foorth to do this busynes, vndoubtedly by the decrees and authoritie of God the father, who raised his sonne Iesus from death. For he is not therfore to be sup∣posed dead, because he is of vs no lenger seen. But rather if suche be worthyly taken for high Apostles, whom Christ appointed beyng as yet among mortal men mortal, then surely should I not be coumpted theyr inferior, whom he at that tyme from heauen, not as man, but euen God, called to be his Apostle and messenger.
For as I am in this point equal euen to the highest Apostles, in that I was of the same Iesus Christ institute, so this preeminence may I lawfully chalenge, that Christ chose them, what tyme he was to our bo∣dily infirmities subiect, but me called he a sonder to be his preacher, what tyme he had put of all condicions of mannes weakenes.