A17662:1243
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 .xx. Chapter. ¶ Of prayer, which is the chief exercise of faith, and whereby we daily receive the benefits of God.
The .xx. Chapter. ¶ Of prayer, which is the chiefe exercise of faith, and whereby we dayly receiue the benefites of God.
OF these things that have ben hitherto spoken, we plainly §1perceive how needy and void man is of all good things, and how he wanteth all helps of salvation. Wherefore if he seek for reliefs whereby he may succour his neediness, he must go out of himself and get them else where. This is afterward declared unto us, that the Lord doth of his own free will and liberally give himself to us in his Christ, in whom he offereth us in stead of our misery all felicity, in stead of our need wealthiness, in whom he openeth to us the heavenly treasures: that our whole faith should behold his beloved son, that upon him our whole expectation should hang, in him our whole hope should stick fast and rest. This verily is the secret and hidden Philosophy, which can not be wrong out with Logical arguments: but they learn it whose eyes God hath opened that they may see light in his light. But sins that we are taught by faith to acknowledge that what so ever we have need of, whatsoever wanteth in us, the same is in God and in our Lord Jesus Christ, namely in whom the Lord willed the whole fullness of his largess to rest, that from thence we should all draw as out of a most plentiful fountain: now it remaineth that we seek in him, and with prayers crave of him that which we have learned to be in him. Otherwise to know God to be the Lord and giver of all good things, which allureth us to pray to him: and not to go to him & pray to him: should so nothing profit us, that it should be alone as if a man should neglect a treasure showed him buried and digged in the ground. Therefore the Apostle, to show that true faith can not be idle from calling upon God, hath set this order: that as of the Gospel springeth faith, so by it our hearts are framed to call upon the name of God. And this is the same thing which he had a little before said,1