A17662:308
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.
The servant of God being strengthened with these both, promises and examples, will join with them the testimonies which teach that §7all men are under Gods power, whether it be to win their minds to good will, or to restrain their malice that it may do no hurt. For it is the Lord that giveth us favour not only with them that will us well,1 but also in the Egyptians, and as for the maliciousness of our enemies, he knoweth how by diverse ways to subdue it. For sometime he taketh away their wit from them, so that they can conceive no sound or sober advise, like as he sent forth Satan to fill the mouths of all the Prophets with lying to deceive Ahab.2 He made Rehoboam mad by the young mens counsel, that he might be spoiled of his kingdom by his own folly. Many times when he granteth them wit, yet he maketh them so afraid and astonished, that they can not will or go about that which they have conceived. Sometime also when he hath suffered them to go about that which lust and rage did counsel them, he doeth in convenient time break of their violences, & suffereth them not to proceed to the end that they purposed. So did he before the time ⟨image 74⟩bring to nought the counsel of Ahithophel that should have been to Davids destruction. So also he taketh care to govern all his creatures for the benefit & safety of them that be his,3 yea & to govern the devil him self,4 which as we see durst enterprise nothing against Job without his sufferance and commandment. Of this knowledge necessarily ensueth both a thankfulness of mind in prosperous success of things, & also patience in adversity, and an incredible assuredness against the time to come. Whatsoever therefore shall betide unto him prosperously and according to his hearts desire, all that he will ascribe unto God, whether he feel the bounty of God by the ministry of men, or be holpen by lifeless creatures. For thus he will think in his mind: Surely it is the Lord which hath inclined their minds to me, which hath joined them unto me to be instruments of his goodness toward me. In plenty of the fruits of the earth, thus he will think, that it is the Lord which heareth the heaven, that the heaven may hear the earth, that the earth also may hear her fruits.