A17662:469
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.
There are also certain other places wont to be objected, whereby §13is showed that God sometime, withdrawing the succour of his grace, trieth men, and waiteth to see to what end they will apply their endeavours,1 as is that place in Hosea: I will go to my place till they put it in their heart and seek my face. It were a fond thing (say they) if the Lord should consider whether Israel would seek his face, unless their minds were p••able that they might after their own will incline themselves to the one side or the other. As though this were not a thing commonly used with God in the Prophets, to make a show as if he did despise and caste away his people, till they have amended their life. But what will the adversaries gather out of such threatenings? If they mean to gather, that the people being forsaken of God, may purpose their own salvation: all the Scripture shall cry out against them in so doing. If they confess that the grace of God is necessary to conversion, why ••ryue they with us? But they so grant it necessary, that still they will have mans power preserved unto him. Howe prove they that? truly not by this place, nor any like to it. For it one thing, to depart aside from man, and to look what he will do being given over and left to him self, and an other thing to help his little strength after the measure of his weakness. What then (will some man say) do these manners of speaking mean? I answer that they are as much in effect, as if God had said: Forasmuch as I prevail nothing with this stubborn people by admonishing, exhorting and rebuking, I will withdraw my self a while: and sit•e still and suffer them to be afflicted: I will see if at length, after long• miseries, they will begin to remember me, to seek my face. The Lords going far away, signifieth the taking away of Prophecy: his looking what men will do, signifieth that he keeping silence, and as it were hiding him self, doth for a time exercise them with diverse afflictions. Both these things he doth to humble us the more. For we should sooner be dulled than amended, with the scourges of adversity, unless he did frame us to that tractableness by his Spirit.
There are also certayne other places wonte to be obiected, whereby