A17662:1119
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.
The .xiiii. Chapter. ¶What is the beginning of justification, and the continual proceedings thereof.
The .xiiii. Chapter. ¶What is the beginning of iustification, and the continuall procedinges therof.
That the matter may be made more plain, let us search, what may be the righteousness of man in the whole course of his life: & let us make four degrees thereof. For men either being endued with no knowledge of God, are drowned in idolatry: or being entered into profession by sacraments, denying ⟨p. 187⟩God with uncleanness of life whom they confess with mouth, they are Christs no further than in name: or they be hypocrites, which cover the wickedness of their hearts, with vain deceitful colours: or being regenerate by the Spirit of God, they endeavour themselves to true holiness. Specially when they are to be judged by their natural gifts, from the crown of their head to the soul of their foot, there shall not be found one sparkle of goodness: unless peradventure we will accuse the Scripture of falsehood, when it setteth out all the sons of Adam with these titles, that they be of froward & stubborn heart that all the imagination of their heart is evil from their infancy,1 that their thoughts be vain, that they have not the fear of God before their eyes, that none of them understandeth or seeketh God: briefly that they be flesh, by which word are understanded all those works which Paul rehearseth, fornication, uncleanness, unchastity, riotousness, worshipping of idols, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, angers, dissensions, sects, envies, manslaughters, & whatsoever filthiness & abomination may be devised. This forsooth is the worthiness, with confidence whereof they must be proved. But if any among them excel with such honesty of manners as may have some show of holiness among men: yet because we know that God regardeth not the outward glistering, we must search the very fountain of works, if we will have them to avail any thing to righteousness. We must (I say) throughly look into them, from what affection of heart these works proceed. But although here lieth open a most large field to discourse in, yet because the matter may be declared in very few words, I will follow as much as I may a briefness in teaching.