The Institution of Christian Religion

As if the Lord had not a very good reason of his doctrine, which offereth it self readily to be found of them that reverently seek it, but how much doctrine, exhortation and rebuking do work of themselves, to the changing of the mind, Paul declareth, when he writeth, that neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth, but the Lord that giveth the increase only effectually worketh. So we see that Moses severely stablisheth the commandments of the law, and the Prophets do sharply call upon them, and threaten the transgressors, whereas they yet confess, that men do then only wax wise, when a heart is given them to understand, that it is the proper work of God to circumcise the hearts, and in stead of stony hearts to give hearts of flesh, to writ his law in the bowels of men: finally in renewing of souls to make that his doctrine may be effectual.

As if the Lorde had not a verye good reason of hys doctryne, whyche offreth yt selfe redily to be founde of them that reuerently seeke yt, but howe muche doctrine, exhortation and rebukynge do woorke of themselues, to the chaungynge of the mynde, Paule declareth, when he wryteth, that neither he that planteth is any thynge, nor hee that watereth, but the Lorde that geueth the encrease onely effectually woorketh. So wee see that Moses seuerely stabelysheth the commaundementes of the lawe, and the Prophetes do sharpely call vpon them, and threaten the transgressors, whereas they yet confesse, that menne do then onely waxe wyse, when a hearte is geuen them to vnderstande, that it is the propre woorke of God to circumcise the heartes, and in steede of stony heartes to geue heartes of fleshe, to writ his lawe in the bowells of menne: fynally in renewynge of soules to make that hys doctryne may be effectuall.

Wherefore then serve exhortations? For this purpose: if they be despised of the wicked with an obstinate heart, they shall be for a witness unto them when they shall come to the judgement seat of the Lord, yea and even now already they beat and strike their conscience: for howsoever the most froward man laugheth them to scorn, yet can he not disprove them: but thou wilt say, what may silly miserable men do, if the softness of heart, which was necessarily required to obedience, be denied him? Nay rather, why doth he excuse him self, when he can impute the hardness of heart to none but to himself? Therefore the wicked that are willingly ready to