A17662:1178
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.
But in the mean time they considered not, how far those works which they would have to be meritorious, were from the condition of the promises, unless there went before both justification grounded upon only faith, and the forgiveness of sins, by which even the good works themselves have need to be wiped from spots. Therefore of three causes of Gods liberality, by which it is brought to pass that the works of the faithful are acceptable, they noted but one, & suppressed two, yea and those the principal.
But in the meane time they considered not, howe far those workes whiche they would haue to be meritorious, were from the conditiō of the promises, vnlesse there went before bothe iustification grounded vpon only fayth, and the forgeuenesse of sinnes, by which euē the good workes themselues haue neede to be wiped from spottes. Therefore of three causes of Gods liberalitie, by which it is brought to passe that the workes of the faythfull are acceptable, they noted but one, & suppressed two, yea and those the principall.
They allege the saying of Peter, which Luke rehearseth in the Acts:§2 I find in truth that God is not an accepter of persons:1 but in every nation he that doth righteousness is acceptable to him. And hereupon they gather that which seemeth to be undoubted, that if man doth by right endeavours get himself the favour of God, it is not the beneficial gift of God alone that he obtaineth salvation: yea that God doth so of his mercy help a sinner, that he is by works bowed to mercy. But you can in no wise make the Scriptures agree together, unless you note a double accepting of man with God. For, such as man is by nature, God findeth nothing in him whereby he may be inclined to mercy, but only misery. If therefore it be certain that man is naked and needy of all goodness, and on the other side full stuffed and laden with all kinds of evils, when God first receiveth them: for what quality, I pray you shall we say that he is worthy of the heavenly calling Away therefore with the vain imagining of merits, where God so evidently setteth out his free mercifulness. For, that which in the same place is said by the voice of the Angel to Cornelius, that his prayers and alms had ascended into the sight of God, is by these men most lewdly wrested, that man by endeavour of good works is prepared to