The Institution of Christian Religion

Let this be the sum: that it is seen that in all mankind is reason which is proper to our nature, which maketh us to differ from brute beasts, as brute beasts do differ in sense from things without life. For where as there be borne certain natural fools and idiots, that default obscureth not the general grace of god. But rather by such sight we are put in mind, that what is left unto our selves, ought justly to be ascribed to the kindness of god, because if he had not spared us, our rebellion had drawn with it the destruction of our whole nature. But whereas some do excel in sharpness of conceiving, some other do pass in judgement, some have a quicker wit to learn this or that art: in this variety God setteth forth his grace unto us, that no man should claim to him self as his own, that which floweth from gods mere liberality. For how becometh one more excellent than an other, but that in common nature might appear above other the special grace of God, which in omitting many, sayeth openly that it is bound to none. Beside that god poureth in singular motions, according to the calling of every man. Of which thing we meet with many examples in the books of the Judges,¹ where it is said, that the spirit of the Lord ••ad them, whom he called to rule the people. Finally, in every noble art there is a special instruction. By which reason the strong men followed Saul whose hearts the lord had touched.² And when his ministering in the kingdom was prophesied of Samuel said thus:³ The spirit of the lord shall come upon thee, and thou ⟨p. 13⟩shalt be an other man. And this was continued to the whole course of government: as after it is spoken of David, that the spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward. But the same is spoken in an other place as touching particular motions: yea in Homer men are said to excel in wit, not only as Jupiter hath dealt to every man, but also as the time required. And truly experience teacheth, while many times such men stand amazed as were most sharp and deep-witted, that the wits of men are in the hand and will of God to rule them at every moment: for which reason it is said, that the taketh wit from the wise, that they may wander out of the way.