The Institution of Christian Religion

For although they do not all reason so orderly, yet because it were not likely to be believed that God had care of mens matters, unless he were the maker of ⟨p. 57⟩the world, nor any man doeth earnestly believe that God made the world, unless he be persuaded that God hath also care of his works: therefore not without cause David doeth by good order convey us from the one to the other. Generally in deed both the Philosophers do teach, and mens minds do conceive that all parts of the world are quickened with the secrete inspiration of God. But yet they attain not so far as David both himself proceedeth and carrieth all the godly with him,¹ saying: all things wait upon thee, that thou mayest give them food in due season. Thou givest it to them and they gather it. Thou openest thy hand and they are filled with good things. But if thou hide thy face they are troubled. If thou take away their breath, they dye and return to their dust. Again if thou send forth thy Spirit,² they are created and thou renewest the face of the earth. Yea although they agree to the saying of Paul, that we have our being and are moved, and do live in God, yet are they far from that earnest feeling of grace, which he commendeth unto us: because they taste not of gods special care whereby alone his fatherly favour is known.

For although they doo not al reason so orderly, yet because it were not likely to be beleued that God had care of mens matters, vnlesse he were the maker of ⟨p. 57⟩the worlde, nor any man doeth earnestly beleue that God made the worlde, vnlesse he be perswaded that God hath also care of hys workes: therefore not without cause Dauid doeth by good order conueye vs from the one to the other. Generally in dede both the Philosophers doe teach, and mens mindes doe conceiue that all partes of the worlde are quickened wyth the secrete inspiration of God. But yet they atteine not so farre as Dauid both hymselfe procedeth and carryeth all the godly wyth hym,¹ saying: all thynges wayte vpon thee, that thou mayest geue them fode in due season. Thou geuest it to them and they gather it. Thou openest thy hand and they are filled with good things. But if thou hide thy face they are troubled. If thou take awaye theyr breath, they dye and returne to theyr dust. Againe if thou sende forth thy Spirite,