The Institution of Christian Religion

The end of this commandment is, that because the Lord delighteth in the preservation of his order, therefore he willeth that those degrees of preeminence which he hath ordained be not broken, the sum therefore shall be that we reverence those whom the Lord hath set over us, that we yield to them honore, obedience and thankfulness. Whereupon followeth that it is forbidden us, to withdraw any thing from their dignity, either by contempt or obstinate or unthankfulness. For so doth the word Honour, in the Scripture signifieth very largely: as when the Apostle saith,¹ that the elders which rule well are worthy of doble honore, he meaneth not only that reverence is due unto them, but also such recompense as their ministry deserveth. And because this commandment of subjection, doth most of all disagree with the perverseness of mans nature, which as it swelleth with greediness of climbing hie, so it hardly abideth to be brought low: therefore he hath set that kind of superiority for example, which by nature is most amiable and lest envious: because he might the easelyer meeken and reclaim o•re minds to the use of submission. Therefore the Lord doth by little & little train us to all lawful subjection by that which is most easy to bear, forasmuch as the rule of all is alike. For to whom he giveth any preeminence, he doth communicate his own name with them, so far as is necessary to preserve the same preeminence: The name of Father, God, and Lord, do so belong unto him alone, that so oft as we hear one of them named, our mind must needs be touched with a feeling of his majesty. Therefore whom he maketh partakers of these things, he maketh to glister with a certain spark of his brightness, that they may be honourable every one according to his degree. Therefore in him that is our father we have to consider somewhat of the nature of God, because he beareth not the name of God without cause. He that is our Prince or our Lord, hath some partaking of honore with God.

The ende of this commaundement is, that bicause the Lorde delyteth in the preseruation of his ordre, therfore he willeth that those degrees of preeminence which he hath ordeined be not broken, the summe therfore shalbe that we reuerence those whome the Lord hath set ouer vs, that we yeld to them honore, obedience and thankefullnesse. Whervpon foloweth that it is forbidden vs, to withdrawe any thynge from their dignitie, either by contempt or obstinate or vnthankfulnes. For so doth the worde Honoure, in the Scripture signifieth very largely: as when the Apostle sayth,