The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

and yet are we loth that our neighbours should dwell with us, yea or that they should be counted in the number of men: there is not that man which would not reign alone like a Lord. But this unkindness and lewdness are sufficient too show that we be not worthy too enjoy the benefits which God dealeth too us in this transitory life. For sith we be too ⟨image 314⟩much wedded unto it, and mind it more carefully than we should do: we be so guilty, as there is not that man which may open his mouth too reply or too allege any excuse for himself.

and yit are wee loth that our neyghbours should dwel with vs, yea or that they should bee counted in the number of men: there is not that man which would not reigne alone lyke a Lord. But this vnkyndnesse and leaudnesse are sufficient too shewe that wee bee not woorthie too inioy the benefytes which God dealeth too vs in this transitory lyfe. For sith wee bee too ⟨image 314⟩much wedded vntoo it, and mynd it more carefully than wee should do: wee bee so giltie, as there is not that man which may open his mouth too reply or too alledge any excuce for himselfe.

And Saint Paul having told us what we ought too know, yea and too judge of our own nature, returneth again too that which he had touched afore, that is too wit, that such as profess themselves too be members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, ought to be persuaded by his example, too live quietly, friendly, and agreeingly with their wives. No man (sayeth he) loveth him self, but he loveth his wife (also.) Verily God hath ordained wedlock, in such wise, as the wife must be as the body of her husband. Therefore if a man love him self, his wife must be matched with him, or else it shall be a monstrous love. It is a thing that men ought most too abhor, that the thing which is most holy in mans life, should be utterly abased. Seeing it is so, he that loveth him self, will love his wife. For we be of his flesh, we be of his bones. Here he toucheth a thing that he spake not of before. For when he did set down the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was in alleging that he spared not him self, but did shed his blood to wash us from our filthiness and uncleanness. We then were defiled & stained before God, & our Lord Jesus Christ found the means too bring us in his favour again. And how? Even by his own bloodshed. But here he allegeth another reason, too confirm the matter yet better: which is, that we be bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh. In so saying, he doth us too understand, that when men do their duty, it is too their own benefit. For thereby they may taste the inestimable and infinite grace of God, in that every man according too his degree, doth in his marriage represent the union that is between them selves and our Lord Jesus Christ.