A17662:1297
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.
For, all are pronounced accursed of God, which devise or determine any purposes upon trust of them selves or of any other, which without his will, & without calling upon him do enterprise or attempt to begin any thing. And whereas we have diverse times already said, that he is duly honoured when he is acknowledged the author of all good things: thereupon followeth that all those things are so to be received at his hand, ye we yield continual thanks for them: & ye there is no other right way for us to use his benefits, which flow and proceed from his liberality to no other end, but ye we should be continually busied in confessing ⟨image 307⟩his praise & giving of thanks.1 For Paul, when he testifieth that they are sanctified by the word & prayer, doth therewithal signify that they are not holy and clean to us without the word and prayer, understanding by the word, faith by figure. Therefore David saith very well, when having received the liberality of the Lord, he declareth that there is given him into his mouth a new song: whereby verily he signifieth that it is a malicious silence, if we pass over any of his benefits without praise: sith he so oft giveth us matter to say good of him, as he doeth good to us. As also Isaiah setting out the singular grace of God, exhorteth the faithful to a new and unwonted song.2 In which sense David saith in an other place, Lord open thou my lips, & my mouth shall show fourth thy praise. Likewise Ezethias and Jonah testify that this shall be to them the end of their deliverance, to celebrate the goodness of God with songs in the temple. This same Law David prescribeth to all the godly. What shall I repay to the Lord (saith he) for all the things that he hath bestowed upon me? I will take the cup of salvations, and will call upon the name of the Lord. And the same law the Church followeth in an other Psalm, Save us our God, that we may confess to thy name and glory in thy praise. Again, He hath looked unto the prayer of the solitary, and he hath not despised their prayers. This shall be written to the generation that shall follow, & the people created shall praise the Lord, that they may declare his name in him and his praise in Jerusalem. Yea so oft as the faithful beseech God to do for his names sake: