A17662:524
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.
Now whereas the Lord giving a rule of perfect righteousness, hath applied all the parts thereof to his own will, therein is declared that nothing is to him more acceptable than obedience, which is so much more diligently to be marked, as the wantonness of mans mind is more ready to devise now and then diverse sorts of worshipping to win his favour withal. For in all ages that irreligious affectation of religion, because it is naturally planted in the wit of man, hath showed and yet doth show forth it self, that men do alway delight to invent a way to obtain righteousness beside the word of God, whereby it cometh to pass, that the commandments of the law have but small place among the works that are commonly called good works, while that innumerable rate of mens works occupieth almost all the room. But what other thing meant Moses than to restrain such licentiousness,1 when after the publishing of the law he spake thus to the people: Give heed, and hear all the things that I command thee, that it may be well to thee and to thy children after thee for ever, when thou shalt do that which is good and pleasant before thy God. What I command thee, that only do: add not unto it, nor diminish it. And before, when he had protested, that this was his wisdom and understanding before other nations that he had received judgements, righteousness and ceremonies of the Lord, he said further,2 Keep therefore thy self and thy soul carefully, that thou forget not the words which thine eyes have seen, and that at no time they fall out of thy heart. For, because God did foresee, that the Israelites would not rest, butte that after they had received the law, they would beside it travail in bringing forth new righteousness, if they were not severely holden back: therefore he pronounceth that herein is contained the perfection of righteousness, which should have been the strongest stay to hold them back, and yet they did cease from that boldness so much forbidden them. Butte what of us? we are surely comprehended within the same charge:
Nowe whereas the Lorde geuynge a rule of perfecte ryghteousnesse, hathe applyed all the partes thereof to hys owne wyll, therein is declared that nothynge is to hym more acceptable than obedyence, whiche is so muche more diligently to be marked, as the wantonnesse of mans mynde is more ready to deuyse nowe and then dyuerse sortes of worshyppinge to winne his fauoure wythall. For in all ages that irreligious affectation of religion, bycause it is naturally planted in the witte of manne, hath shewed and yet dothe shewe fourthe it selfe, that menne do alwaye delyte to inuente a waye to obtayne ryghteousnesse bysyde the woorde of God, whereby it commeth to passe, that the commaundementes of the lawe haue but small place amonge the woorkes that are commonly called good woorkes, while that innumerable rate of mennes woorkes occupyeth allmoste all the roome. But what other thynge meante Moses than to restraine suche lycentiousnesse,