A17662:291
The Institution of Christian Religion
The institution of Christian religion, written in Latin by master John Calvin, and translated into English according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctionsThe institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions
London: printed by Reinolde Wolfe & Richard Harison, 1561London: printed by Reinolde VVolfe & Richarde Harison, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
They which would bring this doctrine in hatred, do cavil that this is §8the learning that the Stoics teach of fatum or Destiny,1 which also was ones laid for reproach to Augustine. As for us, although we be loth to strive about words, yet we allow not this word fatum, both because it is one of those whose profane novelty S. Paul teacheth us to flee, and because some men go about with the odiousness thereof to bring Gods truth in hatred. As for the very opinion of the Stoics, it is wrongfully laid to our charge. For we do not, as the Stoics do, imagine a necessity by a certain perpetual knot & entangled order of causes which is contained in nature: but we make God the judge & governor of all things, which according to his wisdom hath even from furthest end of eternity decreed what he would do, & now by his power putteth in execution that which he hath decreed. Whereupon we affirm that not only the heaven & earth and other creatures without life, but also the purposes & wills of men are so governed by his Providence, that they be directly carried to the end that it appointeth. What then? will one say, doth nothing happen by fortune or by chance? I answer that Basilius magnus hath truly said that fortune and chance are heathen mens words, with the signification whereof the minds of the godly ought not to be occupied. For if every good success be the blessing of God, & every calamity & adversity be his curse, now is there in mens matters no place left for fortune or chance. We ought also to be moved with this saying of Augustine.2 In his books against the Academics he saith. It doth displease me that I have so oft named fortune, albeit my meaning was not to have any goddess meant thereby, but only a chaunceable happening in outward things ether good or evil Of which word Fortune are derived those words which no religion forbiddeth us to use, forte, forsan, forsitan, fortasse, fortuito, that is parhap, peradventure, by fortune & by chance, which yet must all be applied to the Providence of God. And that did I not leave, unspoken when I said, for perchance even the same that is commonly called Fortune is also ruled by secret order. And we call chance in things nothing else but that whereof the reason & cause is unknown. I said this in deed, but it repenteth me that I did there so name Fortune.