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…

Again, Saint Paul proceedeth afterward too show us the inestimable benefit which we have by such order, and the fruit that we reap of it. For (as I have touched afore) men are so high minded, that every one would be a Lord. Therefore there is nothing better than too know that God worketh our welfare by ordaining this order ⟨image 200⟩of government, namely that there should be Shepherds to teach us. For it is as a fighting against our own salvation, when we play the stubborn fools, and will not like of the thing that God hath ordained for our sovereign welfare. Truly if there were no more but this, namely that God hath so willed. Woe worth him that dares check against the majesty of his maker. Yet notwithstanding the world seeth our naughtiness: and although we grant it too be good reason that we should obey God, yet can we not find in our harts too do• it willingly and with a free hart, except we see immediately before our eyes, that it is for our profit too do so, and that Gods intent was not only too humble us under him, but also too advance us therewithal, by willing this order too be kept. And so ye see whereat Saint Paul aimed here. For it is not enough for us too reverence the thing that God commandeth, or too tremble at it, too the end too do it half perforce, and half of good will: but we must go too it with an earnest desire. And how may that be done? By knowing that it is for our profit. Now sith we know it is so, and specially that it standeth upon our salvation▪ We ought well too apply all our wits unto it: Or else our unthankfulness will be the less tolerable, when we fall too thrusting away of the thing that God offereth us, not so much for any respect of himself, as for our profit. That then is the thing which Saint Paul intended, in saying, that the preaching of the Gospel and the appointing of men expressly too that purpose,¹ is too link us together, that there might be no dissension among us.

Agein, Saint Paule procedeth afterward too shewe vs the inestimable benefyte which wee haue by such order, and the fruite that wee reape of it. For (as I haue touched afore) men are so hygh mynded, that euery one would bee a Lord. Therfore there is nothing better than too knowe that God woorketh our welfare by ordeyning this order ⟨image 200⟩