A17662:1254
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.
If any man object, that we are not alway driven with like necessity to pray, I grant the same in deed: and this difference is profitably taught us of James:1 Is any man heavy among you? Let him pray. Who so is merry, let him sing. Therefore even common feeling teacheth us, that because we are to slothful, therefore as the matter requireth we are the more sharply pricked forward of God to pray earnestly. And this David calleth the fit time,2 because (as he teacheth in many other places) how much more hardly troubles, discommodities, fears, and other kinds of tentations do press us, so much freer access is open for us,3 as though God did call us unto him. But yet no less true is that saying of Paul, that we must pray at all times: because howsoever things prosperously flow according to our hearts desire, and matter of mirth doth compass us on every side, yet there is no minute of time wherein our need doth not exhort us to pray. If a man have abundance of wine and wheat: yet sith he can not enjoy one morsel of bread but by the continual grace of God, whole cellars or barnesful shall be no let why he should not crave daily bread. Now if we call to mind how many dangers do every moment hang over us, the very fear it self will teach us that we have no time free from prayer. But this we may better perceive in spiritual things. For, when shall so many sins, whereof we know our selves guilty, suffer us to sit still without care and not in humble wise crave pardon both of the fault and the pain? When do tentations grant us truce, so that we need not to hast unto help? Moreover the desire of the kingdom and glory of God ought so to pluck us to it self, not by fits but continually, that it should alway be fit time for us. Therefore not without cause we are so oft commanded to pray continually. I do not yet speak of perseverance in prayer, whereof mention shall be made hereafter: but when the Scripture warneth us that we ought to pray continually, it accuseth our slothfulness, because we do not perceive how necessary this care and diligence is for us. By this rule all hypocrisy & craftiness of lying to God, is debarred, yea driven far away from prayer. God promiseth that he will be near to all them that call upon him in truth, & he pronounceth that they shall find him which seek him with their whole heart.