A17662:322
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 .xviii. Chapter. That God doth so use the service of wicked men, and so voweth their minds to put his judgements in execution, that yet still himself remaineth pure from all spot.
¶The .xviii. Chapter. That God doth so vse the seruice of wycked men, and so voweth their mindes to put hys iudgementes in execution, that yet styll himselfe remayneth pure from all spot.
There ariseth a hard question out of other places, where it is said that God boweth and draweth at his will, Satan himself and all the reprobate. For the sense of the flesh scarcely conceiveth how he working by them, should not gather some spot of their fault, yea in his common working be free from all fault, and justly condemn his ministers. Upon this was devised the distinction between Doing and Suffering: because many have thought this do•t unpossible to be dissolved: that both Satan and all the wicked are so under the hand and power of God, that he directeth their malice unto what end it pleaseth him, and useth their wicked doings to the executing of his judgements. And their modesty were peradventure excusable, whom the show of absurdity putteth in fear, if it were not so that they do wrongfully with a lying defence go about to deliver the justice of God from all unrightful blame. It seemeth to them unreasonable, that man should by the will and commandment of God be made blind, & so by and by be punished for ⟨p. 68⟩his blindness. Therefore they seek to scape by this shift, that this is done by the sufferance, but not by the will of God. But he himself plainly pronouncing that he doeth it, doeth reject that shift. As for this that men do nothing but by the secrete commandment of God, and do trouble them selves in vain with deliberating, unless he do by his secrete direction stablish that which he hath before determined, it is proved by innumerable and plain testimonies. It is certain that this which we before alleged out of the psalm, that God doeth all things that he will, belongeth to all the doings of men. If God be the certain appointer of war and peace, as it is there said, and that without exception: who dare say that men are carried causelessly with blind motion while God knoweth not of it, and sitteth still? But in special examples will be more lightsome plainness. By the first chapter of Job we know, that Satan doeth no less appear before God to receive his commandments than do the Angels which do willingly obey. In deed it is after a divers manner & for a divers end, but yet so that he can not go about any thing but with the will of God. Although there seem afterward to be added a bare sufferance of him to afflict the holy man: yet because that saying is true: