The Institution of Christian Religion

¶ The .xv. Chapter. What a one man was created: wherein there is entreated of the powers of the soul, of the image of God, of free will and of the first integrity of nature.

¶ The .xv. Chapter. What a one man was created: wherin there is entreated of the powers of the soule, of the image of God, of free wyll and of the first integritie of nature.

Now must we speak of the creation of man, not only because he is among all the works of God the most noble and most excellent example of his justice, wisdom and goodness: but also because as we said in the beginning, we cannot plainly and perfectly know God, unless we have withal a mutual knowledge of our selves. Although the same knowledge be of two sorts, the one to know what we were created at the first beginning, the other to know what our estate began to be after the fall of Adam (for it were but to small profit for us to know our creation, unless we did also in this lamentable fall know what is the corruption and deformity of our nature:) yet at this time we will be content with description of our nature when it was pure. And before we descend to this miserable estate whereunto man is now in thraldom, it is good to learn what a one he was created at the beginning. For we must take heed that in precisely declaring only the natural evils of man, we seem not to impute them to the author of nature. For ungodliness thinketh her self to have sufficient defence in this colour, if it may lay for her self that whatsoever fault she hath, the same did after a certain manner proceed from God, & sticketh not if she be accused, to quarrel with God, and to lay the fault upon him whereof she is worthily accused. And they that would seem to speak somewhat more reverently of the majesty of God, yet do willingly seek to excuse their own wickedness, by nature, not considering that therein though not openly they blame God also, to whose reproach it should fall if it were proved that there is any fault in nature. Sith then we see that our flesh gapeth for all the ways to escape, whereby she thinketh the blame of her own evils may any way be put of from her, we must diligently travail to mete with this mischief. Therefore we must so handle the calamity of mankind that we cut of all excuse, and deliver the justice of God from all accusation. Afterward in place convenient we