A17662:1046
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
Book 3 › Chapter 9: The .ix. Chapter. ¶Of the meditation of the life to come.
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.
nevertheless to obey the commandment of the Lord, he professed him self ready to both,1 because he acknowledgeth himself to owe this unto God, to glorify his name, either by death or life: and that it is in God to determine what is most expedient for his glory. Therefore if we must live and die to the Lord, let us leave to his will the time of our life and death: but so that we be still fervent in desire of death, and be continually occupied in meditation thereof, and despise this life in comparison of the immortality to come, and wish to forsake it when it shall please the Lord, because of the bondage of sin.
neuerthelesse to obey the commaundement of the Lorde, he professed him self ready to both,1 because he acknowledgeth himself to owe this vnto God, to glorifie his name, either by death or life: and that it is in God to determine what is moste expedient for his glory. Therfore if we must liue and die to the Lorde, let vs leaue to his will the tyme of our life and death: but so that we be styll feruent in desire of death, and be cōtinually occupied in meditation therof, and despise this life in comparison of the immortalitie to come, and wyshe to forsake it when it shall please the Lorde, because of the bondage of sinne.
- 1Philip. i.xxiii.
But this is monstrous, that in stead of that desire of death, many §5that boast them selves to be Christians, are so afraid of it, that they tremble at every mention of it, as of a thing betokening unluckily and unhappy. Truly it is no marvel, if natural sease in us do quake for fear when we hear of the dissolving of us. But this is in no wise tolerable, that there be not in a Christian mans breast the light of godliness, that should with greater comfort overcome and suppress that fear, how great soever it be. For if we consider that this unsteadfast, faulty, corruptible, frail, withering, and rotten tabernacle of our body, is therefore dissolved, that it may afterward be restored again into a steadfast, perfect, uncorruptible and heavenly glory: shall not faith compel us fervently to desire that which nature feareth? If we consider that by death we are called home out of banishment, to inhabit our country, yea a heavenly country, shall we obtain no comfort there by? But there is nothing that desireth not to abide continually. I grant, & therefore I affirm, that we ought to look unto the immortality to come, where we may attain a steadfast state that no where appeareth in earth.