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…

Thus ye see how this is too be defined that Saint ⟨image 320⟩Paul speaks of here. He meaneth not that a man should be doted in fond love, as it falleth out oftentimes. And the last Sunday I alleged the examples of such as pretend too be very hot in maintenance of their wives quarrels (abroad,) and yet are devils to them at home. So then, the love that Saint Paul speaketh of, is a right and good affection which the man beareth too his wife, because he knoweth that God hath knit them together, as though he had put them together with his own hand, and said, live you two together in peace and concord.

Thus yee see how this is too bee defyned that Saint ⟨image 320⟩Paule speakes of here. He meaneth not that a man should bee doted in fond loue, as it falleth out oftentymes. And the last Sunday I alledged the examples of such as pretend too bee very hot in mayntenance of their wyues quarelles (abrode,) and yit are diuelles to them at home. So then, the loue that Saint Paule speaketh of, is a right and good affection which the man beareth too his wyfe, bycause hee knoweth that God hath knit them togither, as though he had put them togither with his owne hand, and sayd, lyue you two togither in peace and concord.

Again, as touching the wives, because they be loth too bear the yoke that God hath laid upon their shoulders: therefore in the other text Saint Paul did put them in mind, that God is the author of wedlock, and that it is he which hath set down this condition, that the wife should be subject too her husband, and suffer herself too be ruled by him as by her head, and bear him reverence. For a woman will always find matter enough in her husband too despise him. If he have any goodness, she will go about too deface it, that she may have occasion too say, why should this man have preeminence over me? For he is no more able too rule than I. And we know what overweening there is in men and women. For every one thinks himself more able than his fellow. The wives therefore would feign govern and have the mastery. For that cause doth Saint Paul tell them, that they must abide in the state that God hath put them in, (that is too wit, in subjection,) and that they must not stand scanning what is in their husbands, too examine whether they be worthy too have authority and superiority or no: but that they must consider what God hath ordained, and obey the same without gainsaying or replying. They must not inquire, why is this, and why is that? too the intent too find some excuse too exempt themselves from the obeying of God and of his commandments. Therefore we must give ear to him, and every of us must without gainsaying receive the things that he commandeth us. Thus ye see how the things are too be understood, which are spoken here concerning the fear & subjection that wives owe too their husbands. This doctrine is clear and familiar enough of it self: but yet for all that, how is it practiced in the world? Folk would fain allege excuse of ignorance, too shift off the performance of their duty, by saying, this is to high & to hard to be understood, when as it is said, that men ought to love their wives needeth