The Institution of Christian Religion

¶ The .xiiii. Chapter. That the Scripture even in the creation of the world and of all things: both by certain marks put difference between the true God, and •ayned▪ Gods.

¶ The .xiiii. Chapter. That the Scripture euen in the creacion of the world and of al things: both by certayne markes putte difference betwene the true God, and •ayned▪ Gods.

¹Although Isaiah doeth worthily reproach the worshippers of false gods with slothfulness, for that they have not learned by the very foundations of the earth, and round compass of the heavens, which is the true God: yet such is the dullness and grossness of our wit, that least the faithful should fall away to the inventions of the gentiles, it was necessary to have god more expressly painted out unto them. For whereas that saying that God is the mind of the world, which is counted the most tolerable description that is found among the Philosophers, is but vain, it behoveth us more familiarly to know him, least we alway waver in doubtfulness. Therefore it was his pleasure to have an history of the creation remaining, whereupon the Faith of the church might rest, & seek for no other God but him, whom Moses hath declared to be the maker & builder of the world. There is first set forth the time, that by continual proceeding of years the faithful might come to the first original of mankind, and of all things. Which knowledge is very necessary, not only to confute those monstrous fables that sometime were spread in Egypt and other parts of the world, but also, that the beginning of the world ones being known, the eternity of God may more clearly shine forth and ravish us in admiration of it. Neither ought we to be any thing moved with that ungodly mock, ⟨p. 44⟩that it is marvel why it came no sooner in the mind of God to make the heaven & the earth, & why he sitting idle did suffer so immeasurable a space to pass away, sith he mought have made it many thousand ages before: whereas the whole continuance of the world that now draweth to an end, is not yet come to six thousand years. For why God so long differed it, is nether lawful nor expedient for us to enquire. Because if mans mind will travail to attain thereunto, it shall fail a hundred times by the way, nether were it profitable for us to know that thing which God himself to prove the modesty of our Faith, hath of purpose willed to be hidden. And well did that godly old man speak, which when a wanton fellow did in scorn demand of him, what God had done before the creation of the world, answered that he builded hell for curious fools, let this grave and severe warning repress the wantonness that tickleth many yea and driveth them to evil and hurtful speculations.