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…

But the women on their side do for the most part inharden themselves: and when rhey are too marry, they never think upon the things that God showeth and teacheth them by his word: hardly shall a man find one among a hundred, that prayeth unto God when she is upon the point of marriage. No boubt but they hear it well enough said, that the husband must be the head: and (they themselves will say,) very well: it is true, that if I have a husband, he must be above me, for so is the fashion of the world, and I must abide it. But in the mean while there shall be such overweening, or rather devilish stoutness in them, as they could find in their hearts too pluck God out of his seat, and they would fain that this matter which we read now, were razed out (of the Scripture,) too the intent they might not be subject too it. Yea and they make a confederacy among themselves in that case, saying: tush, I warrant thee, I will hold mine own, and if my husband play the Churl with me, he shall well perceive that I pass not for it, and I will hold him at a bay so long, that when he sees he doth but lose his labour, he shall be fain to give over his game, and too let me alone. After this manner (say I) do women begin too enter into housewifery, so as a man shall scarcely find one among a hundred, which is not of that mind, and doth not fully determine upon it.

But the women on their syde doo for the most part inharden themselues: and when rhey are too marrie, they neuer thinke vppon the things that God sheweth and teacheth them by his woord: hardly shal a man fynd one among a hundred, that prayeth vntoo God when shee is vppon the poynt of mariage. No boubt but they heare it well ynough sayd, that the husband must be the head: and (they themselues will say,) very well: it is true, that if I haue a husband, he must bee aboue mee, for so is the fashyon of the world, and I must abyde it. But in the meane whyle there shalbee such ouerweening, or rather diuelish stoutnesse in them, as they could fynd in their hartes too plucke God out of his seate, and they would fayne that this matter which wee reade now, were razed out (of the Scripture,) too the intent they myght not bee subiect too it. Yea and they make a confederacie among themselues in that cace, saying: tush, I warrant thee, I will hold myne owne, and if my husband play the Churle with mee, he shall well perceyue that I passe not for it, and I will hold him at a bay so long, that when he sees he doth but looze his labour, he shalbe fayne to giue ouer his game, and too let mee alone. After this manner (say I) doo women begin too enter intoo huswyfrye, so as a man shal scar•ly fynd one among a hundred, which is not of that mynd, and dooth not fully determine vppon it.