A17662:1210
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.
Here verily he doth plainly confess that which we so much travail to prove, that the righteousness of good works hangeth hereupon, that they are by pardon allured of God.
Here verily he doth plainely cōfesse yt which we so muche trauail to proue, that the righteousnesse of good works hangeth herevpon, that thei are by pardon allured of God.
A very near sense to the places above recited, have these: Make to your selves friends of the Mammon of wickedness,1 that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting tabernacles. Command the rich men of this world not to be proudly minded, nor to trust in uncertain richesse but in the living God, to do well, to become rich in good works, to lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life. For good works are compared to the richesse, which we may enjoy in the blessedness of eternal life. I answer, that we shall never come to the understanding of them, unless we turn our eyes to the mark whereunto the holy ghost directeth his ⟨image 285⟩words. If it be true which Christ saith, that our mind abideth there where our treasure is, as the children of the world are wont to be earnestly bent to the getting of those things which serve for the delights of this present life: so the faithful must look, sith they have learned that this life shall by & by vanish away like a dream, that they send those things which they would enjoy, thither where they shall have perfect life. We must therefore do as they do which purpose to remove into any place, where they have chosen to rest their whole life. They send their goods before, & do not miscontentedly want them for a time: because they think them selves so much more happy, how much more goods they have where they shall tarry long. If we believe that heaven is our coū tree, it behoveth us rather to send away our riches thither than to keep them here where we must lose them with sudden removing. But how shall we send them thither? If we communicate to the necessities of the poor: