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…

Furthermore we have too weigh yet again the words where he speaketh of frank and free hearted willingness. For it is impossible for us too find any taste or savour in our state or calling, of what sort so ever it be, except we know it be for our benefit and welfare. For we can reap no great profit of the serving of Creatures. We must therefore resort always too our God, and aim at this mark, namely that seeing he hath bin so good and gracious too us as too set us in this world, and too maintain us here, and too show himself so good a father towards us, that all that ever we have, doth come of him: we must show the reverence which we bear too his majesty, and labour too please him in such wise, as we stick not too be subject too men, nor take it in grief or in scorn. So shall our state be greatly sweetened, when we know that God accepteth it in good worth at our hands.

Furthermore wee haue too wey yit agein the woordes where he speaketh of franke and free harted willingnesse. For it is impossible for vs too fynd any tast or sauour in our state or calling, of what sorte so euer it bee, except wee knowe it bee for our benefyte and welfare. For we can reape no great profit of the seruing of Creatures. Wee must therefore resort alwayes too our God, and ame at this marke, namely that seeyng he hath bin so good and gracious too vs as too set vs in this world, and too maynteyne vs heere, and too shewe himselfe so good a father towardes vs, that all that euer wee haue, dooth come of him: wee must shewe the reuerence which wee beare too his maiestie, and labour too please him in such wyse, as wee sticke not too bee subiect too men, nor take it in greefe or in scorne. So shall our state bee greatly sweetened, when wee know that God accepteth it in good woorth at our handes.

And that also is the cause why he setteth these things as one against another: not too show any contrariety, but rather too accord them together. For he sayeth, that we must serve God on the behalf of our masters, with all willingness: and afterward setteth down Gods will on the other side. Then is it a very good melody which answereth very well, that we should know how it is Gods will, that servants should obey their masters. And this will of Gods must dispatch all objections that might hinder us or stop us. When the devil tempteth us too think any thing strange that is commanded us, he enticeth us too our destruction. Now then, let us take Gods will as our sovereign welfare and perfect happiness, assuring our selves, that howsoever we be handled at his hand, yet he loveth us still, and hath an eye too that which is good for us. Let that serve for one point. And if we have such persuasion well rooted in our hearts, it is certain that this willingness which S. Paul speaketh of will follow with it, so as we shall find no loathness in our selves, too grudge against it, as we see they do which are enforced to do things against their wills: for they grunt at it, and although they dare not be aknowen of it, yet their hearts are fell, and there is nothing but rancour