A17662:527
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 common sort of men, even when they mightily dissemble there contempt of the law, do frame their eyes, their feet, their hands, and all the parts of their body to some observation of the law, in the mean time they hold their heart most far of from all obedience, and think them selves well discharged, if they keep close from men that which they do in the sight of God. They hear it said: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: they draw not out their sword to kil• they join not their bodies with harlots: they lay not their hands upon other mens goods. All this is well hitherto. Butte in their whole hearts they breathe out murders, they boil in lust, they cast their eyes aside at all mens goods, and devour them with coveting. ⟨image 127⟩now wanteth that which was the chief point of the law. Whence, I pray you, cometh so gross dullness, but that leaving the lawmaker, they rather measure righteousness by their own witty? Against these doth Paul mightily cry out,1 affirming that the law is spiritual: whereby he meaneth, that it not only demandeth an obedience of the soul, mind and will, but also requireth an Angelic pureness, which having all the filthiness of the flesh clean wiped away, may savour nothing but of the spirit.
Butte the common sorte of menne, euen when they mightylie dissemble there contempt of the lawe, doe frame theyr eyes, their feete, their handes, and all the partes of their bodye to some obseruation of the lawe, in the meane time thei holde their hearte moste farre of from all obidience, and thynke them selues well dyscharged, yf they keep close from menne that whiche thei do in the sighte of God. They heare yt sayde: Thou shalte not kyll: Thou shalte not committe adulterie: Thou shalte not steale: they drawe not oute their swerde to kil• thei ioyne not their bodyes with harlotes: they laye not their handes vpon other menns goodes. All thys ys well hytherto. Butte in their whole heartes they breathe oute murders, they boile in luste, thei cast their eyes asyde at all mens goods, and deuoure them with couetinge. ⟨image 127⟩