The Institution of Christian Religion

Yet do not all travails of Wit▪ so alway become void, but that §13it attaineth somewhat, specially when it bendeth it self to these inferior things. Yea and it is not so blockish, but that it tasteth also some little of the higher things how soever it more negligently apply the searching of them, but yet not that with like power of conceiving. For when it is carried up above the compass of this present life, then is it principally convinced of her own weakness. Wherefore, that we may the better see how far according to the degrees of her ability it proceedeth in every thing, it is good that I put forth a distinction. Let this therefore be the distinction, that there is one understanding of earthly things, an other of heavenly things. Earthly things I call those that do not concern God and his Kingdom, true righteousness, and the blessedness of eternal life, but have all their respect and relation to this present life, and are as it were containeth within ⟨image 91⟩the bounds thereof. Heavenly things, I call the pure knowledge of God, the order of true righteousness and the mysteries of the heavenly kingdom. Of the first sort are policy, governance of household, all handy crafts, and liberal Sciences. Of the second sort are the knowledge of God and Gods will, and the rule to frame our life according to it. Concerning the first, this we must confess, because man is a creature by nature given to live in companies together: he is also by natural instinction bent to cherish & to preserve the fellowship of these companies, therefore we see that there are in the minds of all men universal impressions of a certain civill honesty and order. Hereby it cometh to pass, that there is found no man that understandeth not, that all companies of men ought to be kept in order with laws, and that conceiveth not in his mind the principles of these laws. Hereof cometh that same perpetual consent, as well of all nations as of all men, unto laws, because the seeds thereof are naturally planted in all men without any teacher or lawmaker.

Yet do not all trauales of Witte▪ so alwaye become voyde, but that §13yt attayneth somewhat, specyally when yt bendeth yt selfe to these inferioure thinges. Yea and it is not so blockyshe, but that yt tasteth also some lyttle of the hier thinges how soeuer it more negligently applye the searchynge of them, but yet not that wyth lyke power of conceauynge. For when yt ys carryed vp aboue the compasse of thys present lyfe, then is it pryncipally conuinced of her owne weakenesse. Wherefore, that wee maye the better see howe farre according to the degrees of her abylytye yt procedeth in euerye thynge, yt ys goode that I putte fourthe a dystynction. Lette thys therefore bee the distinction, that there is one vnderstandynge of earthely thynges, an other of heauenly thynges. Earthly thynges I call those that doe not concerne God and his Kyngedome, true ryghteousnesse, and the blessednesse of eternall lyfe, but haue all theyr respecte and relation to thys presente lyfe, and are as yt were contayneth wythin