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…

Let us ⟨image 325⟩(say I) beware of such malapertness and devilish rashness, and let us follow that which Saint Paul telleth us here, that is too wit, that all that ever God hath uttered by his word, is rightful, and that we also must avow it too be so without gainsaying. For the true proof of our faith and obedience, is that when we think that this or that ought not to have bin commanded or forbidden: yet we accept it for good and available, because God hath spoken it.

Let vs ⟨image 325⟩(say I) beware of such malapertnesse and diuelishe rashnesse, and let vs followe that which Saint Paule telleth vs heere, that is too wit, that all that euer God hath vttered by his woord, is ryghtfull, and that wee also must auow it too bee so without geynsaying. For the trew proofe of our fayth and obedience, is that when wee thinke that this or that ought not to haue bin commaunded or forbidden: yit we accept it for good and auaylable, bycause God hath spoken it.

Now hereupon Saint Paul allegeth the commandment of the Law, Honour thy father and thy mother. And again he addeth further, that it is the first commandment of promise. As if he should say, that God intended too bring us by all means too the subjection which we should yield too our fathers and mothers. It ought too suffice us that it is acceptable too God: but seeing he allureth us moreover by gentleness, and will not fray us with authority & force, but promiseth too prosper us, in serving our fathers and mothers: that ought too make us too like the better of our subjection. Therefore Saint Paul having showed us that we must be subject too our fathers and mothers, except we will be rebels too God, and bend our horns against him, and turn all right and order upside down: addeth, that we shall be too hard hearted and wilful stubborn, if after Gods commanding of us, this promise of his move us not, whereby he intendeth too induce us so graciously, too do the thing that he willeth us. And surely if we be not moved, yea and even meekened by it: it may well be said, that the devil reigneth wholly in us, and that he possesseth our hearts. His saying then is, that it is a commandment which hath a special promise, and so hath none other commandment of the law but that. The promise is, that we shall live long upon the earth, yea and in prosperity, because God will bliss us, if we honour those that were the means whereby we came into the world.