A17662:354
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.
Wherefore, I have said that all the parts of the soul are possessed §9of sin, sith Adam fell away from the fountain of righteousness. For not only the inferior appetite allured him, but wicked impiety ⟨p. 5⟩possessed the very castle of his mind, & pride pierced to the innermost part of his heart. So that it is a fond and foolish thing, to restrain the corruption that proceeded from thence, only to the sensual motions as they call them, or to call it a certain nurture that allureth, stirreth and draweth to sin only that part, which among them is called Sensuality. Wherein Peter Lombard ha•he disclosed his gross ignorance, which seeking and s•archynge for the place of it, saith that it is in the flesh, as Paul witnesseth, not properly in deed, but because it more appeareth in the flesh as though Paul did mean only a part of the soul, and not the whole nature which is in comparison set against supernatural grace. And Paul there taketh away all doubt: teaching that corruption resteth not in one part alone, but that nothing is pure & clean from the deadly infection thereof. For entreating of corrupted nature, he doth not only condemn the inordinate motions of appetites that appear, but specially travaileth to prove that the understanding mind is subject to blindness, and the heart to perverseness. And the same third chapter to the Romans is nothing else but a description of original sin. That appeareth more plainly by the renewing. For the spirit which is compared with the old man and the flesh, doth not only signify the grace whereby the inferior or sensual part of the soul is amended, but also containeth a full reformation of all the parts.1 And therefore Paul doth command, not only that our gross appetites be brought to naught, but also that we our selves be renewed in the spirit of our mind, as likewise in an other place he biddeth us to be transformed in newness of mind.2 Whereupon followeth, that the same part, wherein most of all shineth the excellence & nobleness of the soul, is not only wounded, but also so corrupted, that it needeth not only to be healed, but in manner to put on a new nature. Howe far sin possesseth both the understanding mind & the heart, we will see hereafter.