The Institution of Christian Religion

First whereas they call it new, they do great wrong to God, whose holy word deserved not to be accused of newness. To them in deed I nothing doubt that it is new, to whom Christ is new, and his Gospel is new. But they which knew that preaching of Paul to be old,¹ that Jesus Christ dyed for our since, and rose again for our justification, shall find nothing new among us. Whereas it hath long lien hidden unknown, and buried: that is the fault of the ungodliness of men. Now sith it is by the bountifulness of God restored to us, it ought at least by right of full restitution to receive again the title of auncientie.

Firste whereas they call it newe, they dooe greate wrong to God, whoes holy worde deserued not to be accused of newenesse. To them in dede I nothing dout that it is new, to whom Christ is new, and hys Gospell is new. But they which knewe that preaching of Paule to be olde,¹ that Iesus Christ dyed for our synnes, and rose agayne for oure iustification, shall fynde nothyng newe among vs. Wheras it hath long lyen hidden vnknowen, and buried: that is the fault of the vngodlynesse of men. Nowe sithe it is by the bountifulnesse of God restored to vs, it ought at least by ryght of full restitution to receiue agayne the title of auncientie.

1. 1Rom. iiii xxv.

Out of the same fountain of ignorance springeth this, that they take it for doubtful and uncertain. This verily is it which the Lord by his Prophet complaineth, that the ox knew his owner,¹ and the ass his masters stall, but his people knew not hymn. But howsoever they mock at the uncertainty of it: if they were driven to seal their own doctrine with their own blood and with loss of their life, men might see how much they set by it. But far other is our affiance, which dreadeth neither the terrors of death, nor yet the very judgment seat of God.