A17662:1131
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 same matter he excellently well handleth in Isaiah. Offer not (saith §8he) sacrifice in vain:1 incense is abomination to me: my soul hateth your Calends and solemnities. They are become tedious to me, and I have been weary with bearing them: when you shall hold up your hands I will turn away mine eyes from you: when you shall multiply prayer I will not hear: for your hands are full of blood. Be washed, be clean, take away the evil of your thoughts. What meaneth this that the lord so loatheth the obeying of his own law? Yea but he here refuseth nothing that is of the natural observing of the law, the beginning whereof he every where teacheth to be the unfeigned fear of his name. Wh• that is taken away, what so ever things are offered him are not only trifles, but stinking and abominable filthiness. Now let the hypocrites go, & keeping perverseness wrapped up in their heart, endeavour to deserved the favour of God with works. But by this mean, they shall more & more provoke him to wrath.2 For to him the sacrifices of wicked are abominable, & the only prayer of upright men pleaseth him. Therefore we hold that out of doubt, which ought to be most commonly known to him, that is even but meanly exercised in the Scriptures, that even those works that glister most gloriously in men not yet truly sanctified, are so far from righteousness in the sight of the lord,3 that they be judged sins. And therefore they have said most truly that have taught that favour with God is not procured to any person by works: but contrary wise that works do then please, & never till them, when the person hath first found grace in the sight of God. And this order is religiously to be kept, to which the scripture leadeth us by the hand. Moses writeth that the lord had respect to Abel & to his works.4 See you not how he declareth that God is favourable to the men, before that he hath respect to their works? Wherefore the cleansing of the heart must go before, that the works which come from us, may be lovingly received of God: bi•••se this saying of Jeremiah is alway in force,