A17662:567
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.
But we are many ways taught, that the same shadowing of the spiritual rest,1 was the principal point in the Sabbath. For y• Lord required the keeping of no commandment in a manner more severely, than this: when his meaning is in the Prophets to declare that all religion is overthrown, then he complaineth that his Sabbaths are polluted, defiled, not kept, not sanctified: as though that piece of service being omitted, there remained no more wherein he might be honoured. He did set forth the observing thereof with hie praises. For which cause the faithful did among other oracles marvellously esteem the revealing of the Sabbath. For in Nehemiah thus spake the Levites in a solemn convocation, Thou hast showed to our fathers thy holy Sabbath, & hast given them the commandments & the ceremonies, & the law by the hand of Moses. You see how it is had in singular estimation among all the commandments of the law. All which things do serve to set forth the dignity of the mystery, which is very well expressed by Moses and Ezekiel. Thus you have in Exodus. See that ye keep my Sabbath day, because it is a token between me & you in your generations: that you may know that I am the Lord that sanctify you: keep my Sabbath, for it is holy unto you. Let the children of Israel keep the Sabbath and celebrate it in their generations, it is an everlasting covenant between me & the children of Israel, and a perpetual token. Yet Ezekiel speaketh more at large.2 But the sum thereof cometh to this effect, that it is for a token whereby Israel should know that God is their sanctifier. If our sanctification be the mortifying of our own will, then appeareth a most apt relation of the outward sign with the inward thing it self: we must altogether rest, that God may work in us: we must depart from our own will, we must resign up our heart, we must banish all lusts of the ••esh.3 Finally, we must cease from all the doings of our own wit, that we may have God working in us, that we may rest in him, as the Apostle also teacheth.
But we are many wayes taught, that the same shadoweng of the spiritual rest,