A17662:386
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.
But yet in this diversity we see remaining some marks of the Image of God, which do make difference between all mankind and other creatures.
But yet in thys diuersitie wee see remaynynge some markes of the Image of God, whyche dooe make difference betwene all mankynde and other creatures.
Now is to be declared what mans reason seeth, when it cometh §18to the kingdom of God and to that spiritual insight, which consisteth chiefly in three things: to know God, and his fatherly favour toward us, wherein our salvation standeth: and the way to frame our life according to the rule of his law. Both in the first two & in the second, properly they that are most witty, are blinder than molls. I deny not that there be here and there read in Philosophers, concerning God, many things well and aptly spoken, but yet such as do alway savour of a certain giddy imagination. The Lord gave them in deed, as is above said, a little taste of his godhead, that they should not pretend ignorance to colour their ungodliness: and many times he moved them to speak many things by confession whereof them selves might be convinced: But they so saw the things that they saw, that by such seeing they were not directed to the trueth, much less did attain unto it, like as a wayfaring man in the middest of the field, for a sudden moment, seeth fair and wide the glistering of lightning in the night time, but with such a quickly vanishing sight, that he is sooner covered again with the darkness of the night, than he can stir his foot, so far is it of that he can be brought into his way by such a help. Beside that, those small drops of truth, wherewith, as it were by chance, they sprinkle their books, with how many and how monstrous lies are they defiled? Finally, they never so much as smelled, that assuredness of Gods good will toward us, without which mans wit must needs be filled with infinity confusion. Therefore mans reason neither approacheth, nor goeth toward, nor ones directeth sight unto this trueth, to understand who is the true god, or what a one he will be toward us.