The Institution of Christian Religion

As for those things that Paul speaketh of the curse, it is evident that they belong not to the very instruction, butte only to the force of binding the conscience. For the law not only teacheth, butte also with authority requireth that which it commandeth. If it be not performed, yea if duty be stacked in any part, it bendeth her thunderbolt of curse.¹ For this cause the Apostle saith, that all they that are of the works of the law, are subject to the curse. because it is written: Cursed is every one, that fulfilleth not all. And he sayeth, that they be under the works of the law, that do not set righteousness in the forgiveness of since, by which we are loosed ⟨p. 44⟩from the rigour of the law. He teacheth therefore that we must be loosed from the bonds of the law, unless we will miserably perish under them. But from what bonds? the bonds of that rigorous and sharp exacting, that releaseth nothing of the extremity of the law, and suffereth not any offence unpunished. From this curse (I say) that Christ might redeem us, he was made a curse for us. For it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth upon the tree.² In the chapter following in deed he saith, that Christ was made subject to the law, to redeem them that were under the law: but all in one meaning, for he by and by addeth, that by adoption we might receive the right of children. What is that? that we should not be oppressed with perpetual bondage, that should hold our conscience fast strained with anguish of death. In the mean time this alway remaineth unshaken, that there is nothing withdrawn of the authority of the law, but that it ought still to be received of us with the same reverence and obedience.

As for those thynges that Paule speaketh of the curse, it is euident that they belonge not to the verye instruction, butte onely to the force of byndynge the conscience. For the lawe not onely teacheth, butte also wyth authoritie requyreth that whyche yt commaundeth. If yt be not perfourmed, yea yf duetye be stacked in any parte, it bendeth her thunderboulte of curse.¹ For thys cause the Apostle sayth, that all they that are of the woorkes of the lawe, are subiecte to the curse. bycause it is wrytten: Cursed is euery one, that fullfylleth not all. And he sayeth, that they be vnder the woorkes of the lawe, that do not sette ryghteousnesse in the forgeuenesse of synnes, by whyche we are loosed