The Institution of Christian Religion

The .x. Chapter. That the Scripture, to correct all superstition, doth in comparison set the true God against all the Gods of the gentiles, reckoning him for none of them.

The .x. Chapter. That the Scripture, to correct all supersticion, doth in comparison set the true God against al the Gods of the gentiles, reckening hym for none of them.

But because we have showed, that the knowledge of God which in the frame of the world and all the creatures is somewhat plainly set forth, is yet more familiarly and plainly declared in the word: now is it good to consider, whether the Lord show himself such in the Scripture as it pleased him first to be represented in his works. But I shall at this time be contented only to point unto it, whereby the godly minds being admonished may know what is chiefly to be searched in the Scriptures concerning God▪ and be directed to one certain mark in their seeking. I do not yet touch the peculiar covenant, whereby God severed the stock of Abraham from other nations. For even then he appeared the redeemer in receiving to his children by free adoption those that before were enemies. But we are yet about that knowledge that resteth in the creation of the world and ascendeth not to Christ the mediator. And although by and by it shall be good to allege certain places out of the new testament, forasmuch as even out of it both the power of God the creator and his providence in preserving of the first nature is approved, yet I warn the readers before, what is now my purpose to do, to the end that they pass not the appointed bounds. So for this present, let it suffice us to learn, how God the maker of heaven and earth doth govern the world by him created. Every where is renowned both his fatherly bounty and inclined will to do good, and there are also examples rehearsed of his severity, which show him to be a righteous punisher of wicked doings, specially where his sufferance nothing prevaileth with the obstinate.

BUt because we haue shewed, that the knowledge of God which in the frame of the world and al the creatures is somwhat plainly set forth, is yet more familiarly and plainly declared in the worde: now is it good to consider, whether the Lord shew himselfe suche in the Scripture as it pleased him first to be represented in his workes. But I shall at this time be contented only to point vnto it, wherby the godly mindes being admonished may know what is chefely to be searched in the Scriptures cōcerning God and be directed to one certain marke in their seking. I do not yet touch the peculiar couenaunte, wherby God seuered the stocke of Abraham from other nations. For euen then he appeared the redemer in receyuing to his children by free adopcion those that before were ennemies. But we ar yet about that knowledge that resteth in the creation of the world and ascendeth not to Christ the mediatour. And although by and by it shalbe good to allege certaine places oute of the newe testament, forasmuch as euen out of it both the power of God the creator and his prouidence in preseruing of the first nature is approued, yet I warne the readers before, what is now my purpose to do, to the ende that they passe not the appointed boundes. So for this present, let it suffice vs to learne, how God the maker of heauen and earth doth gouerne ye world by him created. Euery where is renomed both his fatherly bountie and enclined wil to do good, and there are also examples rehearsed of hys seueritie, which shew him to be a righteous punisher of wicked doinges, specially where his sufferaunce nothing preuaileth with the obstinate.