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…

The way then for ministers of Gods word too discharge their office faithfully, is too exhort the meaner sort too do their duty, and the poor and oppressed too bear their state patiently without replying, howsoever they fare, and without grudging against men, because that in so doing they should rebel against God.

The way then for ministers of Gods woord too discharge their office faythfully, is too exhort the meaner sort too doo their dewtie, and the poore and oppressed too beare their state paciently without replying, howsoeuer they fare, and without grudging ageinst men, bycause that in so dooing they should rebell ageinst God.

But on the other side also he telleth the great ones, that they must not be as beasts that devour others, and eat them up, but that they must behave themselves uprightly. And in deed even the heathen ⟨image 337⟩men themselves, when they listed too speak according too natural equity, declared that even at that time it became not the masters too abuzz the authority which they had over their servants: and these were their words, that bondmen and slaves ought to be held as Hirelings that were entertained by the day. Sith the Paynims spake so, without having any other understanding than their mother wit afforded them: what excuse is there now adays for such as are trained up in Gods school, where there is a brotherhood between both great and small, and where the masters ought too become fellowly with their servants, because they have all one hope of the endless life? If they that have power above others, will needs set their feet upon their throats by abu•ing the right of their authority: what a thing is it? So then, so much the more ought both the one and the other sort of us, too think how too walk in our own state and calling: so as the inferior sort grudge not that our Lord suffereth them too be abandoned too so many wrongs too this worldward, and too be so mocked and scorned: but that although they should endure a hundred times as much, yet they repine not against God, because it were but a kicking against the spur: And the greater sort also do the like, that is too say, that they consider, that the nearer God hath drawn them too himself in giving them preeminence, the more will he also have them too fashion themselves too his image and likeness. And what shall we find in God but goodness? according as we see that throughout all the Scripture he is called the fountain of all lowliness, gentleness, and mercy. And therefore let such as are in degree of honour think chiefly thereupon. For it is certain, that if they discharge not their duty, they shall pay full dearly for that they have bin so honourable in the world, and yet abused the singular benefit of God. And (as I said afore) because both the one and the other are hard too be brought too conformity: insomuch that they which are oppressed, cannot refrain grudging, but are provoked too break all bonds: Let them be held in awe by Gods word, and by earnest exhortations.