A17662:522
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.
Butte the Lord not contented to have procured a reverence of his §4righteousness, hath also added promises and threatenings, to fill our hearts with love of him, and with hatred of wickedness. For, because our mind is to blind, to be moved with the only beauty of goodness, it pleased the most merciful Father of his tender kindness, to allure us with sweetness of rewards, to love and long for him. He pronounceth therefore, that with him are rewards laid up for virtue, and that he shall not spend his labour in vain, whosoever he be, that shall obey his commandments. He proclameth on the other side, that he not only abhorreth unrighteousness, but also that it shall not escape unpunished, for that he will be a revenger of the contempt of his majesty. And, to exhort us by all means, he promiseth as well the blessings of this present life, as also eternal blessedness, to their obedience that keep his commandments: and to the transgressors thereof, he threateneth both present miseries and the punishment of eternal death. For the same promise, (he that doth these things,1 shall live in them:) and also the threatening that answereth it, (the soul that sinneth, the same shall dye) do without doubt belong to the immortality or death that is to come,2 and shall never be ended. All be it, wheresoever is mentioned the good will or wrath of God, under the one is contained eternity of life, under the other eternal destruction. Of present blessings and curses there is a long register rehearsed in the law.3 And in the penal ordinances appeareth the sovereign cleanness of God, that can suffer no iniquity: but in his promises, beside his great love of righteousness, (which he can not find in his heart to defraud of her reward) there is also proved his marvellous bountifulness. For whereas we and all ours are indebted unto his majesty, by good right whatsoever he requireth of us, he demandeth it as due debt, but the payment of debt is not worthy of reward. Therefore he departeth with his own right, when he offereth reward to our obediences, which we do not yield of our selves as things that were not due: but what those promises do bring unto us, is partly said already, and partly shall appear more plainly in place fit for it.