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…

than they that go too it as though nine men held them, (as they say) and discharge it very coldly with grudging and repining.

than they that go too it as though nyne men hild them, (as they say) and discharge it very coldly with grudging and repyning.

Furthermore let us mark, that Saint Paul here bringeth us three times back unto God and too our Lord Jesus Christ: and that is too rid us of this imagination which we might conceive, that if other men misbehave themselves towards us, the bond is broken too us, and therefore that we may exempt our selves from subjection if we can. As for example, if a servant have a master that is too rigorous and froward, he thinks with himself, why? What do I? And so, servants think themselves half quit, if their masters perform not their duties towards them. But S. Paul declareth expressly, that although masters be so cruel as they do by no means spare such as are under their hand: yet is not their superiority diminished thereby. True it is, that in respect of themselves such masters are unworthy too have authority, as we shall see hereafter. But yet for all that, he that is the inferior must hold himself still under the yoke, because he sees that God hath so ordained it. That is the effect of the thing which we have too bear in mind.

Furthermore let vs marke, that Saint Paule heere bringeth vs three tymes backe vntoo God and too our Lord Iesus Christ: and that is too rid vs of this imagination which wee myght conceyue, that if other men misbehaue themselues towardes vs, the bond is broken too vs, and therefore that wee may exempt our selues from subiection if wee can. As for example, if a seruant haue a mayster that is too rigorous and froward, he thinkes with himselfe, why? What doo I? And so, seruantes thinke themselues halfe quit, if their maisters performe not their dewties towardes them. But S. Paule declareth expressely, that although maysters be so cruell as they doo by no meanes spare such as are vnder their hand: yit is not their superioritie diminished therby. Trew it is, that in respect of themselues such maisters are vnwoorthie too haue authoritie, as wee shall see hereafter. But yit for all that, he that is the inferiour must holde himselfe styll vnder the yoke, bycause he sees that God hath so ordeyned it. That is the effect of the thing which wee haue too beare in mynd.