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…

After Saint Paul hath showed every mans duty particularly: now he returneth again too general doctrine. For (as I said afore) there is one rule common too all men without exception, which is the same that is contained in Gods law, namely that we should lead a holy life, giving our selves over unto his seruis: and also love one another, living chastely and soberly, in all mildness and honesty. This is common. But it is said afterward, that every man must have an eye too his own calling, as, the husband hath a special duty towards his wife, and the wife towards her husband, as we have seen heretofore: for Saint Paul hath laid forth all those things. Now he attempereth his talk too all men, saying, Moreover my brethren, be strong in the Lord. Wherein he showeth that we cannot give our selves too the serving of God without hardness, but must take pains too prepare our selves thereto. True it is that if we were whole and sound, and that our nature were uncorrupted, it would never dare us to live according too Gods commandment: nay rather it would be our whole pleasure, accordingly as the faithful do feel by experience, when God hath touched them too the quick. And for that cause also doth our Lord Jesus Christ say,¹ that his yoke is neither hard nor rough, nor his burden heavy: as if he should say, that he desireth nothing but too guide us by all gentle and loving means. But if we consider what we be: that is too say, how unable we are too be firm and constat, and too hold out in the way which God showeth us: surely we shall well see how it is not without cause, that Saint Paul exhorteth us here too be strong. As if he should say, I have ⟨image 340⟩exhorted you hitherto too do your duties: but I know well that every of you shall find such stubbornness in him self, as he shall not be able too overcome his wicked lusts but by fighting manfully. And though you be weak, yet think not that that ought to serve for excuse. When your passions on the one side are stubborn and rebellious against God, and your selves on the other side are frail: think not that that shall quit you before God: for ye shall be condemned in your sins nevertheless. What is too be done then? Be ye strong in the Lord (sayeth he:)

After Saint Paule hath shewed euery mans dewtie particularly: now he returneth agein too generall doctrine. For (as I sayd afore) there is one rule common too all men without exception, which is the same that is conteyned in Gods lawe, namely that wee should leade a holy lyfe, giuing our selues ouer vnto his seruis: and also loue one another, liuing chastely and soberly, in all myldnesse and honestie. This is common. But it is sayd afterward, that euery man must haue an eye too his owne calling, as, the husband hath a speciall dewtie towards his wyfe, and the wyfe towards hir husband, as wee haue seene hertoofore: for Saint Paule hath layd foorth all those things. Now he attempereth his talk too all men, saying, Moreouer my brethren, bee strong in the Lord. Wherin he sheweth that wee cannot giue our selues too the seruing of God without hardnesse, but must take peynes too prepare our selues thertoo. Trew it is that if wee were whole and sound, and that our nature were vncorrupted, it would neuer dare vs to liue according too Gods commaundement: nay rather it would be our whole pleasure, accordingly as the faythfull doo feele by experience, when God hath touched them too the quicke. And for that cause also dooth our Lord Iesus Christ say,