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 first of all we have too mark the general article which I come now to touch: which is, that when we have superiors over us, we must not obey them as enforced,¹ but because God hath ordained them, and there is no preeminence but of him, as Saint Paul declareth to the Romans. It is true that there he speaketh expressly of Princes and Magistrates: but yet for all that, it extendeth too all authority, as too that which parents have over their children, husbands over wives, and Masters over their servants. Therefore we must be fully persuaded of this, that Gods intent is not that all men should be shuffled together, (as it would come too pass, if there were no restraint,) but that some should rule and have authority too command others, and that they which are under them, should obey. Then is it an unrevocable sentence of God, whereunto we must hold our selves and be contented. For if we protest our selves too be willing too obey God, and in the mean while will needs remove all order that he hath set among us: all that we speak with our mouth is but hypocrisy. Therefore we must give a proof of our humility too Godward, by our willing and easy bearing of mans yoke which he hath laid upon us as it were his own hands. Let that be for one point.

Now first of all wee haue too mark the generall article which I come now to touch: which is, that whē we haue superiours ouer vs, we must not obey them as inforced,¹ but bycause God hath ordeyned them, and there is no preheminence but of him, as Saint Paule declareth to the Romanes. It is trew that there he speaketh expressely of Princes and Magistrates: but yit for all that, it extendeth too all authoritie, as too that which parentes haue ouer their children, husbandes ouer wyues, and Maysters ouer their seruantes. Therefore wee must bee fully perswaded of this, that Gods intent is not that all men should bee shuffled toogither, (as it woulde come too passe, if there were no restreynt,) but that some should rule and haue authoritie too commaund others, and that they which are vnder them, should obey. Then is it an vnreuocable sentence of God, wheruntoo wee must hold our selues and bee contented. For if wee protest our selues too bee willing too obey God, and in the meane whyle will needs remoue all order that he hath set among vs: all that wee speake wyth our mouth is but hypocrisie. Therefore wee must gyue a proofe of our humilitie too Godward, by our willyng and easye bearing of mans yoke which he hath layd vppon vs as it were his owne handes. Let that bee for one poynt.