A17662:404
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.
for whereas he writeth that all nations do walk in the vanity of their mind, are darkened in understanding, estranged from the life of God,1 by reason of the ignorance that is in them, and the blindness of their heart: it is no doubt that this is spoken of all them whom the Lord hath not reformed to the uprightness both of his wisdom and justice: which is also made more plain by the comparison by and by adjoined, where he putteth the faithful in mind, that they have not so learned Christ. For of these words we gather, that the grace of Christ is the only remedy whereby we be delivered from that blindness & the evils that ensue thereof. For so had Isaiah also prophesied of the kingdom of Christ,2 when he promised, that the Lord should be an everlasting light to his Church, when yet darkness covered the earth, and a m•ste the peoples. Whereas he testifieth, that the light of God shall arise only in the Church, truly without the Church he leaveth nothing but darkness and blindness. I will not rehearse particularly such things as are written every where, specially in the Psalms and in the Prophets against the vanity of man.3 It is a great thing that David writeth, if he be weighed with vanity, that he shall be vainer than vanity it self. His wit is wounded with a grievous weapon, when all the thoughts that come out of it, are scorned as foolish, trifling mad and perverse.
for whereas he writeth that al nations do walke in the vanitie of their minde, are darkened in vnderstāding, estrāged from the life of God,1 by reason of the ignoraunce that is in them, and the blindenesse of their hearte: it is no doubt that this is spoken of all them whom the Lorde hathe not reformed to the vprightnesse both of his wisedome and iustice: whiche is also made more plaine by the comparison by and by adioyned, where he putteth the faithfull in minde, that thei haue not so learned Christ. For of these wordes we gather, that ye grace of Christ is the onely remedye whereby we be deliuered from that blindenesse & the euels that ensue thereof. For so had Esay also prophecied of ye kingdome of Christ,