Sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the.X.Commandments of the Law, given of GodSermons of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the.X.Commandementes of the Lawe, geuen of God

Now let us handle this commandment last recited, which concerneth the honouring of father and mother. And here, although expressly mention be made of the father and the mother, there is no doubt but GOD meant to deliver a general doctrine, of having all superiority in honour. For grant we, which must needs be confessed, that the law containeth a perfect rule of doctrine, wherein nothing is wanting: and this which we have said, must needs be so. For if it hath not touched any thing of the duty we owe to other superiors, as princes and magistrates, and those which have the sword of justice: if it hath delivered nothing concerning masters, it should have some default in it. Therefore we must conclude, that God hath commanded that all they which are in any degree of honour and authority be honoured and obeyed. Moreover, seeing all preeminence and superiority cometh from God, and that this order is established and appointed by him, without the which the world could not stand: what might be thought if God made no account of this, when he gave forth a certain form of living well, and in all holiness? Neither ought we to account it strange, that under one special kind of obedience to be yielded to all superiors, the whole is comprised. For we have already touched, how this ought to be observed in the law, and we shall see it more plainly hereafter. And this was not done, because God could speak in no other manner, but for our better profit and instruction. For we know, that albeit men desire to seem subtle and sharp witted, yet cease they not always to cover themselves with the buckler of ignorance. If we might espy that the law of God presseth us over sore, we would feign have some excuse to exempt our selves from the ⟨image 51⟩subjection of it. And if the law of God were not apt and convenient to instruct the rude and ignorant, many would allege that they are no great Clerks, that they never went to school. It should seem then, that the law of God might not bind them. But when we see that God abaseth himself to our rudeness, and that he speaketh grossly according to our capacity, this taketh from us all excuse, this removeth all pretences whatsoever:

Now let vs handle this commaundement last recited, which concerneth the honouring of father and mother. And here, although expresselie mention be made of the father and the mother, there is no doubt but GOD meant to deliuer a generall doctrine, of hauing all superioritie in honour. For graunt we, which must needes be confessed, that the lawe conteineth a perfect rule of doctrine, wherein nothing is wanting: and this which we haue said, must needes be so. For if it hath not touched any thing of the duetie we owe to other superiours, as princes and magistrates, and those which haue the sworde of iustice: if it hath deliuered nothing concerning maisters, it should haue some default in it. Therefore we must conclude, that God hath commaunded that all they which are in any degree of honour and authoritie be honoured and obeyed. Moreouer, seing all preeminence and superioritie commeth from God, and that this order is established and appointed by him, without the which the world could not stande: what might be thought if God made no account of this, when he gaue forth a certeine forme of liuing well, and in all holinesse? Neither ought we to account it straunge, that vnder one speciall kind of obedience to bee yelded to all superiours, the whole is comprised. For we haue alreadie touched, how this ought to be obserued in the law, and we shall see it more plainlie hereafter. And this was not done, because God could speake in no other manner, but for our better profite and instruction. For we know, that albeit men desire to seeme subtile and sharpe witted, yet cease they not alwayes to couer themselues with the buckler of ignorance. If we might espie that the law of God presseth vs ouer sore, we would feigne haue some excuse to exempt our selues from the