A17662:564
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.
The fourth Commandment.
The fourth Commaundement.
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou work and do all thy works. But on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no work. &c.
Remember that thou kepe holy the Sabbat day. Sixe dayes shalt thou worke and do all thy workes. But on the seuenth day is the Sabbat of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no worke. &c.
The end of this commandment is, that we being dead to our own affections & works, should be busied in meditation of the kingdom of God, & to the same meditation should be exercised, by such means as he hath ordained. But because this commandment hath a peculiar & several consideration from the rest, therefore it must have also a several manner of exposition. The old writers use to call it a shadowish commandment, for it it containeth the outward observation of the day, ⟨image 135⟩which by the coming of Christ was taken away with the other figures. Wherein I grant they say truly, but they touch but half the matter. Wherefore we must fetch the exposition of it farther of. And (as I think) I have marked y• there are three causes to be considered, whereupon this commandment consisteth. For first the heavenly lawmaker meant under the rest of the seventh day, to set out in figure to the people of Israel the spiritual rest, whereby the faithful ought to •esse from their own works, that they might suffer God to work in them. Secondarily, his will was to have one appointed day, wherein they should mere together to hear the law, and execute the ceremonies, or at leest bestow it peculiarly to the meditation of his works: that by such calling to remembrance, they might be exercised to godliness. Thirdly, he thought good to have a day of rest granted to servants, and such as lived under the government of other, wherein the might have some ceasing from their labour.