A17662:521
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.
When we have thus far profited by the teaching of the law, then must we by the teaching of the same law also descend unto ourselves: whereby at length we may carry away two things. The first is, by comparing the righteousness of the law with our life, to learn, that we are far of from being able to satisfy the will of God, & that therefore we are not worthy to have place among his creators, much less to be reckoned among his children. The second is in considering our strength, to learn that it is not only insufficient to fulfil the law, but also utterly none at all. ⟨p. 46⟩Hereupon followeth both a distrust of our own strength, & a care and fearfulness of mind. For conscience can not bear the burden of iniquity, but that by and by the judgement of God is present before it: and the judgement of God can not be felt, butte that it striketh into us a dreadful horror of death. And likewise being constrained with proves of her own weakness, it can not choose butte by and by fall into despair of her own strength. Both these affections do engender humility and abatement of courage. So at length it cometh to pass, that man made afraid with feeling of eternal death, which he seeth to hang over him by the deserving of his own unrighteousness, turneth him self to the only mercy of God, as to the only haven of salvation: that feeling that it is not in his power to pay that he oweth unto the law, despairing in him self, he may take breathe again and begin to crave and look for help from else where.
When we haue thus farre profited by the teaching of the lawe, then muste we by the teachinge of the same lawe also descend vnto ourselues: whereby at lengthe we may carry away two thynges. The firste is, by comparing ye righteousnesse of ye law with our life, to learne, yt we are farr of from being able to satisfie ye will of God, & yt therfore we are not worthy to haue place among his creatoures, much lesse to be reckned among his children. The second is in considering oure strength, to learn yt it is not onli insufficiēt to fulfil ye law, but also vtterli none at al. ⟨p. 46⟩Hervpon foloweth bothe a distruste of oure owne strength, & a care and fearefullnesse of mynde. For conscience canne not beare the burden of iniquitie, but that by and by the iudgement of God is present before it: and the iudgemente of God canne not bee felte, butte that it stryketh into vs a dreadefull horroure of deathe. And lykewise beynge constrained wyth proues of her owne weakenesse, it canne not choose butte by and by fall into despere of her owne strength. Both these affections do engendre humilitie and abatemente of courage. So at lengthe it commeth to passe, that man made afrayde wyth felinge of eternall death, which he seeth to hange ouer him by the deseruinge of his own vnrighteousnesse, turneth hym selfe to the onely mercy of God, as to the onely hauen of saluation: that feelynge that it is not in hys power to paye that he oweth vnto the lawe, desperinge in hym selfe, hee maye take breathe againe and beginne to craue and looke for helpe from els where.