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 he exhorteth Servants to do their duty, in fear and trembling, that is too say, with all lowliness and reverence: yea and he addeth further, with singleness of hart, which he matcheth against all the fine slights and shifts whereunto the servants and slaves of that time were too much given, as is too be seen in them that have written of them, & have set forth the manners and trade of life which was in course and use at those days. And let us mark first of all, that S. Paul thinks it not enough for servants too seek the benefit & profit of their masters, and to be willing to obey them, and too be forward in executing whatsoever is commanded them: but he requireth reverence ⟨image 332⟩above all things, as I said afore. Let Servants understand, that although they should not be enforced, nor chastised with whipping when they do amiss, but that they had gentle and meek masters: yet notwithstanding they ought too bear patiently the state wherein they be, assuring themselves that God alloweth of it, and that the superiority which their masters have over them, how hard and grievous so ever it be, is nevertheless ordained and stablished of God. And that is the cause why he setteth down the word Singleness. For we be over witty in seeking our own advantage, and there is none of us all which is not a great doctor in matters concerning his own profit. Why should such a one (say we) have this prerogative above me? What reason is there that I should be bound too him in that▪ Take me the handicrafts men, that never knew word of learning, and deal with them in daily matters, and in things that may make with them, and they be so skilful in debating their case, that ye would take them too be all men of law. Forasmuch then as men are so wily in seeking their own commodity and profit, too the hinderance of others: Saint Paul doth purposely set down singleness of hart, which serveth too sift all affections, and too overthrow all things that men can deuyze too hinder themselves from doing of their duties.

And he exhorteth Seruants to doo their dewtie, in feare and trembling, that is too say, with all lowelinesse and reuerence: yea and hee addeth further, with singlenesse of hart, which he matcheth ageinst all the fyne slyghts and shifts wheruntoo the seruants and slaues of that tyme were too much giuen, as is too bee seene in them that haue written of them, & haue set forth the maners and trade of lif which was in course and vse at those dayes. And let vs mark first of all, that S. Paul thinks it not ynough for seruants too seeke the benefyte & profit of their maisters, and to be willing to obey them, and too be foreward in executing whatsoeuer is commaunded them: but he requyreth reuerence