The Institution of Christian Religion

Which saying in an other place he repeateth and expoundeth, that man is not free from righteousness, but by choice of will, and from sin he is not free, but by grace of the Saviour. He that doth testify, that the freedom of man is nothing ells but a freemakinge or manumission from righteousness, seemeth trimly to mock at the vain name thereof. Therefore if any man will permit the use of this word with no evil signification, he shall not be troubled by me for so doing. But because I think it can not be kept without great peril, and that it Mulde turn to a great benefit to the Church, if it were abolished: neither will I my self use it, and I would wish other, if they ask me counsel, to forbear it.

Whyche sayinge in an other place hee repeteth and expoundeth, that manne ys not free from ryghteousnesse, but by choyse of will, and from synne hee ys not free, but by grace of the Sauyoure. Hee that doothe testifie, that the freedome of manne ys nothynge ells but a freemakinge or manumission from righteousnesse, seemeth trymely to mocke at the vayne name thereof. Therefore yf any manne wyll permytte the vse of thys woorde wyth no euell signification, hee shall not bee troubled by mee for so doynge. But bycause I thynke yt canne not bee kepte wythoute greate peryll, and that it Mulde turne to a greate benefite to the Churche, yf yt were abolyshed: neyther wyll I my selfe vse yt, and I woulde wyshe other, yf they aske mee counsell, to forbeare yt.

I may seem to have brought a great prejudice against my §9self, which have confessed, that all the ecclesiastical writers, except Augustine, have spoken so doubtfully or diversly in this matter, that no certainty can be had out of their writings. For some will so construe this, that I meant therefore to thrust them from giving any voice herein, because they are all against me. As for me, I meant it to no other end but this, ye I simply and in good faith would have Godly wits provided for, which is they wait upon those mens opinion in this point, they shall alway waver uncertain. In such sort do they sometime teach, man being spoiled of all strength of freewill, to flee to grace only; sometime they furnish or seem to furnish him with his