The Institution of Christian Religion

It is to no purpose, to make much a do in disputing, to what end this consideration of the works of God ought to tend, or to what mark it ought to be applied: forasmuch as in other places already a great part of this question is declared, and so much as belongeth to our present purpose may in few words be ended. Truly if we were minded to set out as it is worthy, how inestimable wisdom, power, justice and goodness of God appeareth in the framing of the world, no eloquence, no garnishment of speech, could suffice the largeness of so great a matter. And no doubt it is gods pleasure that we should be continually occupied in so holy a meditation, that while we behold in his creatures as in looking glasses infinite richesse of his wisdom, justice, bounty and power, we should not run over them as it were with a fleeing eye, or with a vain wandering look as I may so call it, but that we should with consideration rest long upon them, cast them up and down earnestly and faithfully in our minds, and oft repeat ⟨p. 52⟩them with remembrance. But because we are now busied in that kind that pertaineth to order of teaching, it is mete that we omit those things that require long declamations. Therefore, to be short, let the readers know, that then they have conceived by Faith, what this meaneth, that God is the creator of heaven and earth, if they first follow this universal rule, that they pass not over with not considering or forgetfulness of those virtues, that God presenteth to be seen in his creatures, then, that they so learn to apply them selves that they may therewith be throughly moved in their hearts. The first of those we do when we consider how excellent a workman's work it was, to place and aptly set in so well disposed order the multitude of the stars that is in heaven, that nothing can be devised more beautiful to behold: to set and fasten some of them in their standings so that they can not move, and to other some to grant a free course, but so that in moving they wander not beyond their appointed space, so to temper the motion of them all that it may divide in measure the days and nights, months, years and seasons of the year, and to bring this inequality of days which we daily see to such a tempered order that it hath no confusion.

It is to no purpose, to make much a do in disputing, to what end this consideration of the workes of God ought to tend, or to what marke it oughte to be applyed: forasmuch as in other places already a great part of this question is declared, and so muche as belongeth to our presente purpose maye in fewe wordes be ended. Truely if we were minded to set out as it is worthye, howe inestimable wisdome, power, iustice and goodnesse of God appeareth in the framing of the world, no eloquence, no garnishment of speche, could suffice the largenesse of so great a matter. And no dout it is gods pleasure that we should be continually occupied in so holy a meditation, that while we beholde in his creatures as in loking glasses infinite richesse of his wisedome, iustice, bountie and power, we should not runne ouer them as it were with a fleeing eye, or with a vaine wandryng looke as I maye so call it, but that we shoulde wyth consideration rest long vpon them, cast them vp and downe earnestlye and faythfully in oure myndes, and ofte repeate