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 setteth down purposely (these words:) As serving the Lord: and it is the chief foundation that we have too lean unto, when the case concerneth the doing of any duty towards men. For if we stick too creatures, we will say, Came we not all out of the Ark of Noah? Why should he be better esteemed than I? Is it meet that I should be put under his feet? what reason is that: And all the rest of the words which we hear every day. For we have skill enough too allege exemption, and so little do we think our selves bound unto others, that we think all others bound unto us. The mark therefore that all men shoot at, is, that every man would be a Lord, and no man admit any subjection. And so it would needs follow, that we should be as wild beasts, or rather as dogs and Cats (as men say), until we knew that God liketh well of the seruis that we do too creatures. If we be not throughly persuaded of that, we may well make some fair countenances, and please men: but out mind shall never be right and well disposed, until we be come to the point that we know, that our Lord accepteth our seruis.

Now he setteth downe purposely (these woords:) As seruing the Lord: and it is the cheef foundation that wee haue too leane vntoo, when the cace concerneth the dooing of any dewtie towards men. For if wee sticke too creatures, wee wil say, Came wee not all out of the Ark of Noe? Why should he bee better esteemed than I? Is it meete that I should bee put vnder his feete? what reason is that: And all the rest of the woords which wee heare euery day. For wee haue skill ynough too alledge exemption, and so little doo wee think our selues bound vnto others, that wee think all others bound vntoo vs. The mark therfore that al mē shoote at, is, that euery man would be a Lord, and no man admit any subiection. And so it would needs followe, that wee should bee as wyld beasts, or rather as doggs and Catts (as men say), vntill wee knew that God lyketh well of the seruis that wee doo too creatures. If wee bee not throughly perswaded of that, wee may well make some fayre countenances, and please men: but out mynd shall neuer bee ryght and well dispozed, vntill wee bee come to the poynt that wee know, that our Lord accepteth our seruis.

But there is yet one other cause that might hinder us, or rather cool us in the discharge of our duty towards other men: and that is, mens unthankfulness. For they whom we pleasure, do commonly […] us no thank, but rather think that we be made for none other purpose but too serve them. When we see them requite our seruis so evil, it spiteth us: and it were enough too make us leave of altogether. Now then it is needful for us too come back too that which Saint Paul telleth us: namely that God is above all degrees, and that he having superiority over the world, will have every man employ him self with all humbleness, and that all subjections which he hath ordained in the world, too remain firm and unuiolable. This is the effect of the thing that Saint Paul telleth us here.