A17662:373
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.
Yet this I dare affirm, how so ever they be sometime to busy in advancing Freewill, that this yet was their purposed mark, to teach man being altogether turned away from trust of his own power, to have his strength reposed in God alone. Now come I to the simple setting forth of the trueth, in considering the nature of man.
Yet thys I dare affyrme, howe so euer they bee sometyme to busye in auauncynge Freewyll, that thys yet was theyr purposed marke, to teache manne beeynge alltogether tourned awaye from truste of hys owne power, to haue hys strengthe reposed in God alone. Nowe come I to the symple settynge fourthe of the trueth, in consyderynge the nature of manne.
But I am here constrained to repeat that, which in the beginning of this Chapter I speak by way of preface. As any man is most discouraged and thrown down with conscience of his own misery, neediness, nakedness and shame, so hath he best profited in knowledge of himself. For there is no danger to be feared, lest man will take to much from himself, so that he learn, that what he wanteth is to be recovered in God, but to him self he can take nothing more than his own right, be it never so little, but that he shall destroy him self with vain confidence, and conveying the honour of God to him self, become guilty of heinous sacrilege. And truly, so oft as this lust invadeth our mind, that we desire to have some what of our own, which may rest in our selves rather than in God, let us know that this thought is ministered us by no other counsellor, butte by him that persuaded our first parents, to have a will to be like unto Gods, knowing both good and evil. If it be the word of the devil that raiseth up man in him self, let us give no place unto it, unless we lift to take counsel of our enemy. It is pleasant in deed, for a man to have so much strength of his own, that he may rest in him self. Butte that we be not allured to this vain affiance, let so many sore sentences make us afraid, by which we be thrown down:1 as are, Cursed is he which trusteth in ⟨p. 10⟩