The Institution of Christian Religion

But because we know that the world was made principally for mankind's §6sake, we must therefore consider this end in the governance of man. The prophet Jeremiah crieth out.¹ I know, Lord, that the way of man is not his own, nether belongeth it to man to direct his own steppes. And Solomon sayeth,² the steps of man are ruled by the lord, and how shall a man dispose his own way? Now let them say that man is moved by God according to the inclination of his own nature, but that man himself doth turn the moving whether it pleaseth him. But if that were truly said, then should man have the free choice of his own ways. Peradventure they will deny that, because he can do nothing without the power of God. But seeing it is certain that the Prophet and Solomon do give unto God, not only power but also choice and appointment, they can not so escape away. But Solomon in an other place doth finely rebuke this rashness of men, that appoint unto themselves an other end without respect of God, as though they were not led by his hand.³ The preparations (saith he) of the hart are in man, but the answer of the tong is of the Lord. It is a fond madness that men will take upon them to do things without God, which can not so much as speak but what he will. And the Scripture to express more plainly that nothing at all is done in the world but by his appointment, showeth that those things which seem most happening by chance are subject to him.⁴ For what can you more ascribe to chance, than when a broken bow falling from a tree killeth a wayfaring man passing by it? But the lord saith far otherwise, which confesseth that he hath delivered him into the hand of the slayer. Likewise who doth not leave the happening of lets to the ⟨image 69⟩blindness of fortune▪ But the Lord suffereth it not which claimeth the judgement of them to himself: for he sayeth that it cometh not to pass by a mans own power that stones are cast into the lap and drawn out again,