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…

Howbeit, let all such as have superiority over others, aduyze themselves well, and consider that God hath not given them the bridle without reserving his own right too himself, but that both great and small must be fain too appear before his judgment seat, and there there will be no accepting of persons. Wherefore let such as are rich, let such as are in authority, let such as have any advantage above their neighbours, remember well this saying, that there is no accepting of persons before God: but that although that in this world one man goes before, & another follows after: yet when the Trumpet soundeth, so as we must all come before the great Judge: then there shall be no more any such difference. And for the same cause are even Kings and Princes brought too that point, and too that consideration in the Psalm,¹ where it is said, Ye be Gods, and ye be children of the highest: which is, because God hath ordained them to be as his lieutenants, and set them in high degree. True it is that this must stand in force for a time: but yet shall ye dye as men (sayeth he) and as any one of the common people, and then shall ye be driven too know that ye were but mortal men. For all these great and gay shows shall then be laid awater. And of a truth, the setting down of the word Person, ought too put us well in mind, that they be but temporal things, and that we cannot bring any of them ⟨image 339⟩with us before God, as though they were our own. True it is tha• in our common speech we take the word Person it another sense: for we call a man or a woman a person. But when the Scripture speaks of it, it meaneth all things that are without us, as riches, states, offices, nobility, great birth, and all things that men possess in this world, and whereof they may also be bereft. Therefore when it is said, that there is no accepting of persons before God: it is as much too say, as he will judge us simply as mortal men, and as brittle and frail creatures, and that we cannot shield our selves with one thing or other, insomuch that the richest cannot bring their treasures, lands, and possessions with them, to advance themselves with them above others. They that have bin in any great dignity, shall not say, how so? Every man trembled under me. Such gear shall be nothing worth afore God.

Howbeeit, let all such as haue superioritie ouer others, aduyze themselues well, and consider that God hath not giuen them the brydle without reseruing his owne ryght too himselfe, but that both great and small must bee fayne too appeere before his iudgment seate, and there there wilbe no accepting of persons. Wherfore let such as are riche, let such as are in authoritie, let such as haue any aduantage aboue their neyghbours, remember wel this saying, that there is no accepting of persons before God: but that although that in this world one man goes before, & another followes after: yit when the Trumpet soundeth, so as wee must all come before the great Iudge: then there shalbee no more any such difference. And for the same cause are euen Kings and Princes brought too that poynt, and too that consideration in the Psalme,