A17662:1257
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 our iniquities answer against us, do thou for thy names sake. For it is both most truly & most holily written, of whom soever it be, which being written by an unknown author is fathered upon the Prophet Baruch: A soul heavy & desolate for the greatness of evil, crooked, & weak, a hungry soul, & fainting eyes give glory to thee O Lord. Not according to the righteousnesses of our fathers do we pour out prayers in thy sight, & ask mercy before thy face O Lord our God: but because thou art merciful, have mercy upon us, because we have sinned before thee.
If our iniquities answer against vs, do thou for thy names sake. For it is bothe most truely & most holyly written, of whome soeuer it be, which being written by an vnknowē author is fathered vpon ye Prophet Baruch: A soule heauy & deosolate for ye greatnes of euel, croked, & weake, a hungrye soule, & fainting eies geue glorie to thee O Lord. Not according to ye righteousnesses of our fathers doe we poure out praiers in thy sight, & aske mercie before thy face O Lord our God: but bicause thou art merciful, haue mercie vpon vs, bicause we haue sinned before thee.
Finally the beginning & also the preparing of praying rightly, is craving of pardon, with an humble & plain confession of fault. For neither is it to be hoped, that even the holiest man may obtain any thing of God, until he be freely reconciled to him: neither is it possible that God may be favourable to any but them whom he pardoneth. Wherefore it is no marvel if the faithful do with this key open to themselves the door to pray. Which we learn out of many places of the Psalms. For David when he asketh an other thing,1 saith: Remember not the sins of my youth, remember me according to thy mercy for thy goodnesses sake O lord. Again, Look upon my affliction, & my labour, & forgive all my sins. Where we also see that it is not enough, if we every several day do call our selves account for our new sins, if we do not also remember those sins which might seem to have been long ago forgotten.