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…

Let the wife think upon those things, and then let her conclude, that howsoever she fare, yet is it not for mortal creatures too break the bond wherein God will have us bound: for that were a striving against him. And therefore must I submit my self too him that is my head: and although he be terrible, yet becometh it me too be subject too my God, who hath my husbands hart in his hand, and can alter it when he listeth. And I must not provoke him too win me with strokes of the Cudgel: for in so doing God would be discontented both with him and me. So then the faults of the wife cannot discharge the husband from keeping the law unbroken which God hath ordained, that is too wit, from living together both in one accord. Likewise the vices of the husband, shall no• excuse the wife from yielding subjection & obedience in all things on Gods behalf, as is said of it here.

Let the wyfe thinke vppon those things, and then let hir conclude, that howsoeuer shee fare, yit is it not for mortall creatures too breake the bond wherin God will haue vs bound: for that were a stryuing ageinst him. And therfore must I submit my selfe too him that is my head: and although he bee terrible, yit becommeth it mee too bee subiect too my God, who hath my husbandes hart in his hand, and can alter it when he listeth. And I must not prouoke him too win mee with strokes of the Cudgell: for in so dooyng God would bee discontented both with him and mee. So then the faultes of the wyfe cannot discharge the husband from keeping the lawe vnbroken which God hath ordeyned, that is too wit, from lyuing toogither both in one accord. Lykewise the vyces of the husband, shall no• excuze the wyfe from yeelding subiection & obedience in all things on Gods behalfe, as is sayd of it heere.

Now Saint Paul too confirm this exhortation the better, declareth how our Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the body: namely because he gave himself for the Church, too Sanctify it, (or to make it holy.) In deed the whole doctrine hereof cannot be dispatched as ⟨p. 283⟩