A17662:1212
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.
Who shall fear so to say, when the Scripture doth so oft and plainly witness it? Butte if any man will leap from the mere goodness of God to the worthiness of works, he shall be nothing holpen by these testimonies to the stablishing of his error. For you can gather nothing rightly thereof but the mere inclination of Gods tenderness toward us: forasmuch as to encourage us to well doing, although the services which we do to him are not worthy of so much as his only looking upon them, yet he suffereth none of them to be lost.
Whoe shal feare so to saie, when the Scripture dothe so ofte and plainely witnesse it? Butte if any man will leape from the mere goodnesse of God to the worthinesse of workes, he shalbe nothing holpen by these testimonies to the stablishing of his errour. For you cā gather nothing rightly therof but ye mere inclinatiō of Gods tendernes towarde vs: forasmuche as to encourage vs to wel doinge, although the seruices whiche we do to him are not worthy of so muche as his onely loking vpon them, yet he suffreth none of them to be loste.
But they more enforce the words of the Apostle, which when he comforteth the Thessalonians in troubles,1 reacheth that the same are sent to them, that they may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which they suffer. For (saith he) it is righteous with God, to render trouble to them that trouble you: but to you, rest with us when the lord Jesus shall be showed from heaven. But the author of the epistle to the Hebrews saith,2 God is not unrighteous, that he should forget your work, & the love which you have showed in his name for that you have ministered to the saints. To the first place I answer, that there is no worthiness of merit spoken of:3 but because God the father willeth that we whom he hath chosen to be his children, should be made like to Christie his first begotten son: as it behoved that he should first suffer, and then enter into the glory appointed for him: so must we also by many tribulations enter into the kingdom of heaven. Therefore when we suffer tribulations for the name of Christ, there are as it were certain marks printed upon us, wherewith God useth to mark the sheep of his stock.