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…

Now he addeth, that that is right. As if he should say, no man shall gain any thing by striving in this behalf. For we know that mans mind is so full fraught with pride, as there is no man but he would be a lord. As for subjection, it irketh men to yield too it, until our Lord have framed us too it by his holy spirit.¹ And for that cause also is the spirit of God called the spirit of meekness and gentleness. And why?² Because pride maketh men like wild beasts, and puffeth them up like Toads, so as they cannot humble themselves. Saint Paul therefore perceiving that this vice is so rooted in our nature, and minding too redress it, showeth that it is right, and that it becometh every man too employ him self thereunto, and that although there be any such sturdiness in us, as will not suffer us too be subject too our superiors, yet this rightfulness […] Gods (that is too say, the rule that he hath set) must overweigh it. For when he sayeth, it is right (or rightful) he bringeth us back too Gods authority: as if he should say, seeing God hath said the word, there is no further scanning of the matter, but men must stop their mouths, and seeing God hath commanded it, men must obey it, assuring themselves that his will is a sure and infallible rule, from the which it is not lawful too swerve neither too the right side nor too the left. And it is a good warning. For we see that although men were willing too do well, and had some good zeal towards it: yet will every of us be wise in his own conceit, and when it cometh too the guiding and governing of our selves, we will needs bear sway above the word of God. Forasmuch then as men are so fond and presumptuous, as too attribute somewhat continually too their own wit: it standeth us the more on hand too mark well what is said here: that is too wit, that we must have the discretion and skill, too perceive what God commandeth and alloweth, and likewise what he disalloweth. Have we then a warrant of Gods will? We must be contented with it. And if he once say, This pleaseth me: then is it rightful, though we perceive not the reason of it. Again, if there be some hardness: yet let us not ask why, neither let us reply against God, when he condemneth the thing that seemeth not too be utterly evil in our eyes.

Now he addeth, that that is ryght. As if he should say, no man shal gayne any thing by stryuing in this behalf. For wee knowe that mans mynd is so full fraught with pryde, as there is no man but hee would bee a lord. As for subiection, it irketh men to yeeld too it, vntill our Lord haue framed vs too it by his holie spirit.