A17662:423
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 which reason,1 David, after he had prayed to have the ways of the Lord opened unto him, that he might walk in his trueth, by and by addeth: Unite thou my heart to fear thy name. In which words he signifieth, that even they that are well minded, are subject to so many withdrawynges of mind, that they easily vanish or fall away if they be not stablished to constancy. For which reason in an other place, after he had prayed to have his steppes directed to keep the word of God, he requireth also to have strength given him to fight.2 Let not any iniquity (sayeth he) bear rule over me. After this sort therefore doeth the Lord both begin and end good work in us: that it may all be his work, that will conceiveth a love of that which is right, that it is inclined to the desire thereof, that it is stirred up and moved to endeavour of following it. And then that our choice, desire▪ and endeavour faint not, but do proceed even to the effect: last of all that man goeth forward constantly in them, and continueth to the end.
For whyche reason,1 Dauid, after he had prayed to haue the wayes of the Lorde opened vnto hym, that he mighte walke in his trueth, by and by addeth: Unite thou my heart to feare thy name. In whyche wordes he signifieth, that euen they that are well minded, are subiecte to so many withdrawynges of minde, that they easily vanish or fal awaye if they bee not stablisshed to constantie. For whiche reason in an other place, after he had prayed to haue his steppes directed to kepe the worde of God, he requireth also to haue strength geuen him to fight.2 Lette not any iniquitie (sayeth he) beare rule ouer me. After this sorte therefore doeth the Lorde bothe beginne and ende good worke in vs: that it maye all be his worke, that wil conceyueth a loue of that whiche is right, that it is enclined to the desire thereof, that it is stirred vp and moued to endeuour of followyng it. And then that our choyse, desire▪ and endeuour fainte not, but do procede euen to the effecte: laste of all that manne goeth forward constantly in them, and continueth to the ende.