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…

And on the other side, Saint Paul forgetteth not servants, that he should not procure them their right, and that which belongeth too them. For he commandeth masters too do the like too them, not as ma•e and matelyke (as they say) but so as masters consider, that although ⟨p. 318⟩though the civill laws lay the bridle loose in their necks, yet doth not God grant them leave too do what they list, but speaketh as well for the one as for the other: which thing we must bear well in mind. Now for the masters he giveth this rule, namely that they must look well about them how they rule, because they have a common master in heaven,¹ who accepteth no persons. As touching Servants, he sayeth, my friends, though ye have not such recompense in this world as ye would desire: let it suffice you that God accounteth you not as slaves. It is true that ye be despised too the worldwarde, but you have your inheritance in heaven, and our Lord accepteth your seruis, and ye shall have your reward paid you as well as if ye were Kings and Princes. That is the thing which we have too remember here. In deed the time will not serve for the whole discourse of it: but yet we see, that first Saint Paul meant not too curry favour with the great and rich sort, by maintaining their right against their slaves: & also that he laboureth on the other side, too bring those too lowliness and meekness, which otherwise might have advanced themselves too much. And the same order ought too be observed by such as have charge in the Church, & are ministers of Gods word: namely that they spare neither great nor small, but tell every man his duty. For sith there is no accepting of persons before God: his word must be handled roundly, and we must not be dismayed at the highness and authority of such as are in estimation among men. For seeing it is God that speaketh, his word must pull down all loftiness, according as Saint Paul speaketh in the second too the Corinthians,² where he saith, that commission is given too all Shepherds and ministers of the Gospel, too pull down the pride of men, and too subdue their over loftiness, when they will needs exalt themselves against our Lord Jesus Christ, and step up against his doctrine, so as they will not submit themselves too his yoke.