A17662:1014
The Institution of Christian Religion
The institution of Christian religion, written in Latin by master John Calvin, and translated into English according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctionsThe institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions
London: printed by Reinolde Wolfe & Richard Harison, 1561London: printed by Reinolde VVolfe & Richarde Harison, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
So shall it come to pass, that we shall alway not only join the travail for other mens commodity with the care of our own profit, but also set it before the care of our own. And that we should not happen to be ignorant that this is the true law of disposing all the gifts that we receive of God, he hath in the old time set the same law even in the smallest gifts of his liberality.1 For he commanded the first fruits of corn to be offered unto him, by which the people might testify that it was unlawful for them to take any fruit of the goods that were not first consecrate to him. If the gifts of God be so only then sanctified unto us, when we have with our own hand dedicate them to the author thereof, it is evident that it is an untrue abuse thereof that doth not favour of such dedication. But it shall be vain for thee to go about to enrich the Lord with communicating to him of thy things. Therefore sith thy liberality can not extend unto him,2 as the Prophet saith, thou must use it toward his saints that are in earth. Therefore alms are compared to holy oblations, that they may now be correspondent to these of the law.
So shal it come to passe, that we shal alway not only ioyne the trauail for other mens cōmoditie with the care of our owne profit, but also set it before the care of our owne. And that we should not happen to bee ignorant that this is the true lawe of disposyng all the giftes that we receyue of God, he hath in the olde time set the same lawe euen in the smalest giftes of his liberalitie.1 For he commaunded the first frutes of corne to be offred vnto him, by whiche the people might testifie that it was vnlawfull for them to take any frute of the goods that were not first consecrate to him. If the giftes of God be so onely then sanctified vnto vs, when we haue with our owne hande dedicate them to the authour thereof, it is euidēt that it is an vntrue abuse thereof that doth not fauour of suche dedication. But it shalbe vayne for thee to goe about to enriche the Lord with communicatyng to him of thy things. Therefore sithe thy liberalitie can not extende vnto him,2