The Institution of Christian Religion

And here by the way it shall be profitable to touch what these forms §6of speaking do differ from the promises of the law. I call promises of the law, not those which are each where commonly written in the books of Moses: (for as much as in them also are found many promises of the Gospel) but those which properly belong to the ministry of the law. Such promises, by what name so ever you list to call them, do declare that there is reward ready upon condition, if thou do that which is commanded thee. But when it is said, that the Lord keepeth the covenant of mercy to them which love him, therein is rather showed what manner of men be his servants which have faithfully received his covenant, than the cause is expressed why the lord should do good to them. Now this is the manner of showing it. As the Lord vouchsafeth to grant us the grace of eternal life, to this end that he should be loved, feared, & honoured of us: so whatsoever promises there are of his mercy in the Scriptures, they are rightfully directed to this, and that we should reverence and worship the author of the benefits. So oft therefore as we hear that he doth good to them that keep his law, let us remember that the children of God are there signified by the duty which ought to be continual in them: that we are for this cause adopted, that we should honour him for our Father. Therefore lest we should disherit our selves from the right of adoption, we must alway endeavour to this whereunto our calling tendeth. But let us again keep this in mind, that the accomplishment of the mercy of God hangeth not upon the works of the faithful: but that he therefore fulfilleth the promise of salvation to them which answer to their calling in uprightness of life, because in them he acknoweth the natural tokens of his children which are ruled with his Spirit unto good. Hereunto let it be referred which is in the xv. Psalm spoken of the Citizens of the Church, Lord who shall dwell in thy tabernacle, and who shall rest in thy holy hill: The innocent in hands & of a clean heart,¹ &c. Again in Isaiah, Who shall dwell with devouring fire? He that doth righteousness, he that speaketh right things &c. For there is not described the stay whereupon the faithful may stand before the Lord, but the manner wherewith the most merciful father bringeth them into his fellowship, & therein defendeth & strengtheneth them.

And here by ye way it shalbe profitable to touch what these formes