The Institution of Christian Religion

Because his majesty doth no other ways abide in honore among us, nor the worship of him remain inviolate but while we hang upon his mouth. Therefore infidelity was the root of that falling away. But thereupon arose ambition and pride, to which was adjoined unthankfulness, for that Adam in coveting more than was granted, did unreverently despise the so great liberality of God wherewith he was enriched. And this was a monstrous wickedness, that the son of the earth thought it a small thing that he was made after the likeness of God, unless he might also be made equal with God. If Apostasy be a filthy and detestable offence, whereby man withdraweth him self from the allegiance of his creator, yea outrageously shaketh of his yoke: then it is but vain to extenuate the Sin of Adam. Albeit it was no simple Apostasy, but joined with shameful reproaches against God, while they assented to the slanders of Satan wherein he accused God of lying envy, and niggardly grudging. Finally, infidelity opened the gate to ambition, ambition was the mother of obstinate rebellion, to make men caste away the fear of God, and throw themselves whether their lust carried them. Therefore Bernard doeth rightly teach that the gate of salvation is opened unto us, when at this day we receive the gospel by our ears: even as by the same windows, when they stood open to Satan, death was let in. For Adam would never have ben so bold, as to do against the commandment of God, but for this that he did not believe his word. Truly this was the best bridle for the right keeping of all affections in good order, to think that there is nothing better than to keep righteousness in obeying the commandments of God, & then that the chief end of happy life is to be beloved of him. He therefore being carried away with the blasphemies of the Devil, did (as much as in him lay) extinguish the whole glory of god.

Bicause his maiestie doth no other waies abide in honore among vs, nor the worshippe of him remaine inuiolate but while we hange vpō his mouth. Therfore infidelitie was the roote of that falling awaye. But thereupon arose ambition and pride, to which was adioyned vnthankefulnesse, for that Adam in coueting more than was graunted, did vnreuerently despise the so greate liberalitie of God wherewyth he was enriched. And this was a monstruous wickednesse, that the sonne of the earth thoughte it a small thyng that he was made after the likenesse of God, vnlesse he mighte also bee made egall with God. If Apostasie be a filthy and detestable offense, whereby manne withdraweth him selfe from the allegeance of his creatour, yea outrageously shaketh of his yoke: then it is but vaine to extenuate the Sinne of Adam. Albeit it was no simple Apostasie, but ioyned with shamefull reproches agaynst God, while they assented to the sclaunders of Satan wherein he accused God of lying enuye, and niggardly grudgyng. Finally, infidelitie opened the gate to ambition, ambition was the mother of obstinate rebellion, to make men caste awaye the feare of God, and throwe themselues whether their lust caried them. Therfore Bernarde doeth rightly teache that the gate of saluation is opened vnto vs, when at this day we receiue the gospel by our eares: euē as by the same windowes, when they stode opē to Satan, death was let in. For Adam would neuer haue ben so bolde, as to do agaynst the cōmaundement of God, but for this that he did not beleue his worde. Truely this was the best bridle for the right keping of all affections in good order, to thinke yt ther is nothyng better than to kepe righteousnesse in obeyenge ye cōmaundementes of God, & then that ye chiefe ende of happy life is to be beloued of him. He therefore beyng carried away with the blasphemies of the Deuell, did (asmuch as in him lay) extinguishe the whole glory of god.