A17662:1267
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.
And it is wonderful that with so great sweetness of promises we are §14either but coldly or almost not at all moved, that a great part of men wandering about by compasses had rather leaving these fountain of living waters, to dig for themselves dry pits, than to embrace the liberality of God freely offered them. An invincible tour is the name of the lord,1 (saith Solomon) to it the righteous man shall flee, & he shall be saved. And Joel, after that he had prophesied of that horrible destruction which was at hand,2 added this notable sentence. Whosoever calleth upon the name of the lord, shall be safe: which sentence we know to pertain properly to the course of the Gospel.3 Scarcely every hundred man is moved to go forward to meet God. He himself crieth by Isaiah: Ye shall call upon me, & I will hear you, yea before that ye cry I will answer you. And this same honour also in an other place he vouchsafeth to give in common to the whole Church, as it belongeth to all the members of Christ. He hath cried to me,4 I will hear him, I am in trouble with him, that I may deliver him. Neither yet (as I have already said) is it my purpose to reckon up all the places, but to choose out the chief, by which we may take a taste how kindly God allureth us unto him, & with how straight bonds our unthankfulness is bound, when among so sharp prickings our sluggishness still maketh delay. Wherefore let these sayings alway sound in our ears:5 The lord is nigh to all them that call upon him, that call upon him in trueth: also these sayings which we have alleged out of Isaiah & Joel, by which God affirmeth that he is heedful to hear prayers, yea & is delighted as with a sacrifice of sweet savour, when we cast our cares upon him. This singular fruit we receive of the promises of God, when we make our prayers not doubtingly & fearfully: but trusting upon his word, whose majesty would otherwise make us afraid, we dare call upon him by the name of Father, forasmuch as he vouchsafeth to put this most sweet name into our mouths. It remaineth that we having such allurements should know that we have thereby matter enough to obtain our prayers: forasmuch as our prayers stand upon no merit