A17662:440
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.
Although we have before touched, yet it is not plainly declared §6what liberty man hath in those doings, which are neither just nor faulty of them selves, and belong rather to the bodily than the spiritual life. Some in such things have granted him free election, rather, as I think, because they would not strive about a matter of no great importance, than that they minded certainly to prove the same thing that they grant. As for me, although I confess that they which do hold that they have no power to righteousness, do hold the thing that is principally necessary to salvation: yet I do think that this point also is not to be neglected, that we may know that it is of the special grace of the Lord, so oft as it cometh in our mind to chose that which is for our profit, so oft as our will inclineth thereunto: again so oft as our wit and mind escheweth that which else would have hurt us. And the force of Gods providence extendeth thus far, not only to make the successes of things to come to pass, as he shall foresee to be expedient, but also to make the wills of men to tend thereunto. Truly if we consider in our wit the administration of outward things, we shall think that they are so far under the will of man: but if we shall give credit to so many testimonies, which cry out that the Lord doth in these things also rule the hearts of men, they shall compel us to yield our will subject to the special moving of God.1 Who did procure the good wills of the Egyptians to the Israelites, to lend them all their most precious jewels? They would never have found in their hearts to have so done of their own accord. Therefore their hearts were more subject to the Lord, than ruled by them selves.2 And truly if Jacob had not been persuaded that God put into men diverse affections as pleaseth him, he would not have said of his son Joseph, whom he thought to be some Heathen Egyptian: God grant you to find mercy before this man. As also the whole Church confesseth in the Psalm,3 that when it pleased ⟨image 106⟩God to have mercy upon it,4