we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause. instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might;

And, for this cause, we, are also giving thanks unto God unceasingly, that, when ye received a spoken word from us - which was God's, ye welcomed it - not as a human word, but, even as it truly is, a divine word, - which is also inwardly working itself in you who believe.

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.