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…

Likewise the way for fathers too have such obedience of their children as is requisite, is too treat them gently? that husbands also rule their wives with all concord and friendliness: that Princes abuse not their subjects as wretched beasts: and that […] devour not their […] too much: and therewithal, that such as are the meanest sort too the worldward, consider that God hath set them ⟨p. 316⟩in that state, as though he had appointed them their place there with his own hand. Therefore let not the common sort advance them selves, but be contented with their state.

Lykewise the way for fathers too haue such obedience of their children as is requisite, is too treate them gently? that husbands also rule their wyues with all concord and freendlinesse: that Princes abuse not their subiectes as wretched beastes: and that 〈…〉 deuoure not their 〈…〉 too much: and therwithall, that such as are the meanest sort too the worldward, consider that God hath set them ⟨p. 316⟩in that state, as though he had appoynted them their place there with his owne hand. Therfore let not the common sort aduaunce them selues, but bee contented with their state.

That (say I) is the cause why Saint Paul setteth down this saying expressly, as touching the flesh. It was not too bring masters in contempt for reigning over their slaves, but too prevent all objections that men might allege, when they would seek privilege too exempt themselves from obedience too God, and too all order that he hath set. And therewith all he doeth us too understand also, that the same subjection is no prejudice too the faithful, but that they may continue still in full liberty, as in respect of their souls. For the devil useth that colour also. What (sayeth he)? Seeing that our Lord Jesus Christ hath shed his blood too purchase us freedom, why should we not continue in it? Yea, but Saint Paul answereth thereunto, (as he hath done with more large circumstance in the fifth Chapter of the first Epistle too the Corinthians:) that the bondage which we yield too our superiors, is only as touching the flesh, and that our souls and consciences cease not too be always frank and free before God. And therefore it is a childish objection, too say, that seeing our Lord Jesus Christ hath set us free, why should men make us bond? He hath not set us free as touching our bodies, for it is his will that there should be principalities and Lordships still in the world: which cannot be, but that some must be subject, and othersome have preeminence and authority. Forasmuch then as our Lord hath so distinguished the two governments of the body and of the soul, and that the one is spiritual, and too be governed by his word, as in respect of our walking before him too attain to the kingdom of heaven: but when it cometh too the behaving of ou selves towards men, which are of our own body, then we must learn too frame our selves too all good policy: let us assure our selves that yet for all that, our state is no whit worse before God, than if we were Kings and Princes, and all […] trembled before us. Yea and the things which we do heartily in serving of creatures, do turn so much the more to the exalting & magnifying of God. For needs must he be a man of noble mind, which can stoop so low as too obey willingly, (not regarding) how great, how skilful, nor how rich so […]