Ministerial calling reaches beyond the walls of the local church, even bringing kings in submission to God:
“Why are prophets and teachers sent? Truly to call the whole world to order; not to spare their hearers but to denounce them freely whenever there is need, even to threaten them when they appear obstinate. If the teacher allows himself to be impressed with any sort of superiority in men, he will not dare to offend those whom he thinks distinguished by power or wealth, or by some reputation for wisdom or honor. There is no remedy against such fears, except for teachers to keep God before their eyes and to be assured that he is the author of their words. When their minds are raised to God, they can look down on all human heights and excellencies. This is the purpose of the words God uses, ‘See, I have appointed you over nations and kingdoms.’ Here God affirms that the authority of his Word is so great that it makes subject to itself whatever is high and mighty upon earth —even kings not excepted.”
John Calvin
Commentary on Jeremiah 1:9-10
Of course, keep in mind that most Reformed Seminaries are teaching R2K now and R2K teaches that Ministers are to keep their mouths shut when it comes to matters that exist in the common realm. Yet Calvin makes it clear that the Minister is to call Kings to account if they walk askance from God’s Word.
Would Calvin have had more patience with R2K than he did with Servetus?
