A17662:315
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.
Beside that, it is not without dishonourable reproach of God to say, that he hath set open man the noblest of all his creatures to their blind and unadvised strokes of fortune. But here my purpose is to speak only of the misery of man, which he should feel if he should be brought subject under fortunes dominion.
Beside that, it is not without dishonorable reproche of God to say, that he hath set open man the noblest of al hys creatures to their blinde and vnaduised strokes of fortune. But here my purpose is to speake onely of the misery of man, which he should fele if he should be brought subiecte vnder fortunes dominion.
But when that light of Gods Providence hath ones shined upon a §11godly man •he is now relieved & delivered not only from the extreme anguish and fear wherewith he was before oppressed, but also from all care. For as justly he feareth fortune, so he dare boldly commit himself to God. This is (I say) his comfort, to understand that the heavenly father doth so hold in all things with his power, so ruleth them with his authority and countenance, so ordereth them with his wisdom, that nothing befalleth but by his appointment: and that he is received into Gods tuition, & committed to the charge of Angels, and can not be touched with any hurt of water, nor fire, nor weapon, but so far as it shall please God the governor to give them place.1 For so is it song in the Psalm. For he shall deliver thee from the hunters snare, and from the noisome pestilence. He will cover thee under his wings, & thou shalt be sure under his feathers. His truth shall be thy shield & buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the fear of the night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day, nor of the pestilence that walketh in the darkness, nor of the plague that destroyeth at none day. And from thence proceedeth that boldness of the Saints to glory: The Lord is my helper.