A17662:123
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.
¶The .ix. Chapter. ¶That those fanatical men, which forsaking scripture, resort unto revelation, do overthrow all the principles of godliness.
¶The .ix. Chapter. ¶That those fanaticall men, which forsakyng scripture, resort vnto reuelation, doo ouerthrowe all the principles of godlynesse.
Now they that forsaking the Scripture do imagine I wot not what way to attain unto God, are to be thought not so much to be holden with error, as to be carried with rage. For there have arisen of late certain giddy brained men, which most presumptuously pretending a school of the spirit, both them selves do forsake all reading, and also do scorn their simplicity which still follow the dead and slaying letter, as they call it. But I would fain know of these men, what spirit that is, by whose inspiration they are carried up so high, that they dare despise the doctrine of the scripture as childish and base. For if they answer that it is the spirit of Christ, then such carelessness is worthy to be laughed at. For I think they will grant, that the Apostles of Christ and other faithful in the primitive church were lightened with none other spirit. But none of them did learn of that spirit to despise the word of God: but rather every one was moved more to reverence it, as their writings do most plainly witness.1 And surely so was it foretold by the mouth of Isaiah. For where he saith, My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed for ever: he doth not bind the old people to the outward doctrine as though they were set to learn to spell, but rather he teacheth, that this shall be the true and perfect felicity of the new church under the reign of Christ, that it shall no less be led by the voice of God, than by the spirit of god. Whereby we gather, that these lewd men with wicked sacrilege do sever asunder those things that the Prophet hath joined with an inviolable knot. Moreover, Paul being ravished up