A17662:1124
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.
Moreover if it be true which John saith, that there is no life without the son of God:1 who so have no part in Christ, what manner of men so ever they be, whatsoever they do or go about, yet they run forward with their whole course into destruction & the judgment of eternal death. After this reason,2 is that said of Augustine, Our religion discerneth the righteous from the unrighteous, not by law of works, but by the very law of faith, without which, those that seem good works are turned into sins. Wherefore the same Augustine saith very well in an other place,3 when he compareth the endeavour of such men to running out of the way. For how much faster a man runneth out of the way, so much further he is from the mark, & therefore is made so much more miserable. Wherefore he affirmeth that it is better to halt in the way, than to run out of the way. Finally it is certain that they are evil trees, forasmuch as without the communicating of Christ there is no sanctification. They may therefore bear fair fruits & beautiful to the eye, yea & sweet in taste, but in no wise good fruits. Hereby we easily perceive that whatsoever man thinketh, purposeth, or doeth, before that he be reconciled to god by faith, is accursed, & not only of no value to righteousness, but of certain deserving to damnation. And why dispute we hereof as of a doubtful thing, sith it is already proved by the witness of the apostle,4 that it is impossible that any man may please God without faith.
Moreouer if it be true which Iohn saith, that there is no life without the sonne of God:1 who so haue no part in Christ, what maner of men so euer they be, whatsouer they do or goe about, yet they run forward with their whole course into destruction & the iugement of eternal death. After this reasō,2 is that said of Augustine, Oure religiō disceneth ye righteous from ye vnrighteous, not by law of workes, but by the very lawe of faith, wtout which, those that seme good workes are turned into sinnes. Wherfore the same Augustine saith very wel in an other place,