The Institution of Christian Religion

Let this be our second note, that there is alway more contained in the commandments and prohibitions, than is by words expressed, which yet is so to be tempered, that it be not like a Lesbian rule, whereby licentiously wresting the Scriptures, we may make of every thing what we list. For many bring to pass by this unmeasured liberty of running at large, that with some the authority of Scripture groweth in contempt, and other some despair of understanding it. Therefore, if it be possible, we must take some such way, that may by right and perfect path lead us to the will of God, we must I say search how far our exposition may exceed the bounds of the words, that it may appear that it is not an addition of mens glosses knit to the word of God, butte rather that the pure and natural meaning of the law giver is faithfully rendered. Truly in a manner in all the commandments it is so manifest, that there are figurative speeches, meaning more in expressing part that he may worthily be laughed at that will restrain the meaning of the law to the narrowness of the words. It is evident ⟨p. 48⟩therefore, that sober exposition doth pass beyond the words: but how far, that remaineth hard to judge, unless there be some measure appointed: wherefore I think this to be the best measure, that if it be directed to the entente of the commandment, that is, that in every commandment be weighed, why it was given us. As for example: Every commandment is either by way of bidding, or of forbidding: the trueth of both sorts shall forthwith be found, if we consider the intent or the end thereof. As the end of the fifth commandment is, that honour is to be given to them to whom God appointeth it. This therefore is the sum of the commandment, that it is right and pleaseth God, that we honour them to whom he hath given any excellence, and that he abhorreth contempt and stubbornness against them. The entente of the first commandment is, that God alone be honoured. The sum therefore of the commandment shall be, that true godliness, that is to say, true worship of his majesty pleaseth God, and that he abhorreth ungodliness. So in every commandment we must look, upon what matter it treateth:

Let this be oure secounde note, that there is alwaye more conteyned in the commaundementes and prohibitions, than is by wordes expressed, whiche yet is so to be tempered, that it bee not like a Lesbion rule, whereby licenciously wrestinge the Scriptures, we may make of every thing what we lyste. For many bringe to passe by this vnmeasured libertie of runninge at large, yt with some the authoritie of Scripture groweth in contempte, and other some despere of vnderstandinge it. Therefore, yf yt bee possyble, wee muste take some suche waye, that maye by ryghte and perfecte pathe leade vs to the wyll of God, wee muste I saye searche howe farre oure exposition maye exceede the boundes of the woordes, that it maye appeare that it is not an addition of mennes gloses knitte to the woorde of God, butte rather that the pure and naturall meaninge of the lawe geuer ys faythefully rendred. Truely in a manner in all the commaundementes yt ys so manyfest, that there are fyguratiue speaches, meaninge more in expressinge parte that he maye woorthyly bee laughed at that wyll restraine the meaninge of the lawe to the narrownesse of the wordes. It is euident