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 (as I said) this comprehendeth all subjection, as well of people towards Princes and Magistrates, of children towards their parents, and of wives towards their husbands: as also of servants towards their masters. And when we once have that, it will be easy for us too withstand all the troubles and encumbrances that hinder us, and turn us away from our duties. For what is the cause ⟨image 333⟩that we cannot submit our selves too Gods will? As I said, all these disputings are unavailable and fond, when a man shall say, Why am I bound too such a one? Why should he hold his foot upon my throat? Who hath given him more authority than me? But seeing God hath told us that he will have it so: it behoveth us too hold our peace. Therefore if we be fully persuaded of it, we shall be too froward if we show not by our deeds that we be willing too please our God, and too fulfil his good will. For if a master have a great multitude of folk in his house, he shall be of sufficient authority too appoint whom he listeth too have the oversight of it, and they must be obeyed. A Prince hath his officers, and they must command, and others must hearken too them, and simply obey them. And what is too be done then, when our God who is the sovereign Lord and father, & hath the right of preeminence and dominion over us, will have us too obey such as he hath appointed, without making any reply? For what can it boot too say the contrary? Therefore (as I said) let us print this counsel of Saint Pauls throughly in our hearts, That when we do our duty willingly and unfeignedly towards those whom God hath set in authority over us, we serve God himself. And soothly, without that mind, all the virtues that we can have in outward show too the worldward, shall be but smoke, as ye shall see a number of men that pretend marvellously well, insomuch that they whom they serve, shall be contented too well with them. But although such dealing be allowed among men: yet is it nothing worth before God. And why? For God will be honoured at our hands: He will have men too enjoy their right in such wise, as neither he be forgotten, nor they as it were defaced. Therefore if we will but only obey men, and despise the thing which God will have too be as an acceptable sacrifice too himself: what a dealing were that?

Now (as I sayd) this comprehendeth all subiection, as well of people towardes Princes and Magistrates, of children towardes theyr parentes, and of wyues towardes their husbandes: as also of seruantes towardes their maysters. And when wee once haue that, it wyll bee easie for vs too withstand all the trubbles and incomberances that hinder vs, and turne vs away from our dewties. For what is the cause