A17662:410
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 because as every man hath most excelled, so his ambition hath most moved him forward (with which spot all virtues are defiled, so that they lose all favour before God,) it is to be accounted nothing worth, what soever seemeth praiseworthy in ungodly men, beside that the chief part of uprightness faileth, where there is no study to advance the glory of God, which all they want whom he hath not regenerate with his spirit. Neither is it vainly spoken in Isaiah,1 that upon Christ resteth the spirit of the fear of God, whereby we are taught, that so many as are strange from Christ, are without the •eare of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. As for the virtues that deceive us with vain show, I grant they shall have praise in the court of policy, and in the common fame of men, but before the heavenly judgement seat, they shall be of no value to deserve righteousness.
But bicause as euery man hathe moste excelled, so his ambition hath mooste moued him forwarde (wyth wh•che spotte all vertues are defiled, so that thei lose all fauoure before God,) it is to be accompted nothingeworth, what soeuer semeth praiseworthy in vngodly men, besyde that the chefe part of vprightnesse faileth, where there is no studye to aduaunce the glorye of God, whiche all thei wante whome he hathe not regenerate with his spirite. Neither ys yt vainely spoken in Esaie,1 that vpon Christe resteth the spirite of the feare of God, whereby we are taught, that so many as are strange frō Christ, are without the •eare of God, whiche is the beginning of wisedome. As for the vertues that deceiue vs with vaine shewe, I graunte they shall haue praise in the courte of policie, and in the common fame of men, but before the heauenly iudgemente seate, they shall bee of no valewe to deserue ryghteousenesse.
- 1Esa. xi.i••