The Institution of Christian Religion

For though Christ saith that to him that hath,¹ shall be given, & that the faithful and good servant which hath showed himself faithful in few things, shall be set over many: yet he also showeth in an other place, that the increases of the faithful are the gifts of his free goodness. All ye that thirst (saith he) come to the waters:² & ye that have not money, come and bye milk and honey without money and without any exchange. What so ever therefore is now given to the faithful for help of salvation, yea & blessedness it self, is the mere liberality of God: yet both in this and in those he testifieth that he hath consideration of works: because, to testify the greatness of his love toward us, he vouchsafeth to grant such honour not only to us, but also to the gifts which he hath given us.

For though Christ sayth that to him that hath,¹ shalbe geuen, & that the faithful and good seruant which hath shewed himself faithful in few thinges, shalbe set ouer many: yet he also sheweth in an other place, that the encreases of the faithful are ye giftes of his free goodnesse. All ye that thirst (sayth he) come to the waters:² & ye that haue not monie, come and bye milke and honye without monie and without any exchange. What so euer therfore is now geuen to the faithfull for help of saluation, yea & blessedne••e it selfe, is the mere liberalitie of God: yet bothe in this and in those he testifieth that he hath consideration of workes: bicause, to testifie the greatnesse of his loue toward vs, he vouchsaueth to graunt such honor not only to vs, but also to ye giftes which he hath geuē vs.

1. 1Mat. xiv.xxj. & xxix.
2. 2Esa. lv.i.