A17662:461
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.
The second sort of their arguments is much like unto the first.§10 They allege the promises whereby God doth covenant with our will, of which sort are, Seek good and not evil, and ye shall live. If ye will and do hear,1 ye shall eat the good things of the earth: but if ye will not, the sword shall devour you, because the Lords mouth hath spoken it.2 Again, If thou put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not be driven out: If thou shalt obey diligently the voice of the Lord thy God, and observe and do all his commandments which I command thee this day, then the Lord thy God will set the on high above all the nations of the earth. And other like. They do inconveniently & as it were in mockery think, that these benefits which the Lord doth offer in his promises, are assigned to our own will: unless it were in us to stablish them or make them void. And right easy it is to amplify this matter with eloquent complaints, that the Lord doth cruelly mock us, when he pronounceth that his favour hangeth upon our will, if the same will be not in our power: And that this liberality of God should be a goodly thing forsooth, if he so set his benefits before us that we have no power to use them: and a marvellous assuredness of his promises, which hang upon a thing impossible, so as they might never be fulfilled. But of such promises as have a condition adjoined, we will speak in an other place: so that it shall be plain, that there is no absurdity in the impossible fulfilling of them. And for so much as concerneth this place: I deny that God doth ungently mock us. when he moveth us to deserve his benefits, whom he knoweth to be utterly unable to do it. For whereas the promises are offered both to the faithful and to the wicked, they have their use with both sorts. As God with his commandments pricketh the conscience of the wicked, that they should not to sweetly take pleasure in their since, without any remembrance of his judgements: so in his promises he doth in a manner take them to witness, how unworthy they are of his goodness. For who can deny that it is most rightful and convenient, that the Lord do good to them of whom he is honoured, and punish the despisers of his Majesty, according to his severity?
The seconde sorte of their argumentes is muche like vnto the fyrst.