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…

The one is, that forasmuch as it had bin Gods will too put mankind into confusion, and that all men both great and small should be put in mind that Adam had perverted the order of nature. Therefore S. Paul counselleth servants to bear such subjection, assuring themselves that it cometh of God, and therefore that they must take it patiently. The other is, that the Gospel serveth not too change the common policies of the world, and too make Laws that belong too the temporal state. It is true that Kings, Princes, and Magistrates ought always too ask counsel at Gods mouth, and too frame themselves unto his word: but yet for all that, our Lord hath given them liberty, too make such Laws as they shall perceive too be meet and convenient for the government that is committed unto them, howbeit they must call upon God too give them the spirit of wisdom and discretion, and because they be not of ability too rule of themselves, they must take advice and counsel at Gods word. Yet notwithstanding, the doctrine of salvation, which is called the kingdom of heaven,¹ and the things that belong too the bridling of us in this world, that men may know how too behave themselves one towards another, are sundry things. That therefore is the cause why Saint Paul left slavery, bondage, or seruiship as it was.

The one is, that forasmuch as it had bin Gods will too put maynkynd intoo confuzion, and that all men both great and small should be put in mynd that Adam had peruerted the order of nature. Therfore S. Paul counselleth seruantes to beare such subiection, assuring themselues that it commeth of God, and therefore that they must take it paciently. The other is, that the Gospell serueth not too chaunge the common policies of the world, and too make Lawes that belong too the temporall state. It is trew that Kings, Princes, and Magistrates ought alwayes too aske counsell at Gods mouth, and too frame themselues vntoo his word: but yit for all that, our Lord hath giuen them libertie, too make such Lawes as they shall perceyue too bee meete and conuenient for the gouernment that is committed vntoo them, howbeeit they must call vppon God too giue them the spirit of wisedome and discretion, and bycause they bee not of abilitie too rule of themselues, they must take aduice and counsell at Gods woord. Yit notwithstanding, the doctrine of saluation, which is called the kingdome of heauen,¹ and the thinges that belong too the brydling of vs in this world, that men may knowe how too behaue themselues one toowardes another, are sundrye thinges. That therefore is the cause why Saint Paule left slauerye, bondage, or seruiship as it was.