A17662:60
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.
As for this that David saith, that the wicked and mad men think §2in their hearts, that there is no God: First that is meant only of those that choking the light of nature,1 do of purpose make them selves senseless, as we shall see again a little hereafter. Even as we see that many after that they have been hardened with boldness and custom of sinning, do furiously put from them all the remembrance of God, which yet is by very feeling of nature inwardly ministered unto their minds. Now David, to make their madness the more detestable, bringeth them in as though they precisely denied, that there is any god: although they take not from him his being, but because in taking from him his judgement and providence, they shut him up idle in heaven. For where as nothing less agreeth with the nature of God, than to throw away the government of the world, and leave it to fortune, to wink at the since of men, so as they may live in licentious outrage unpunished: whosoever he be that quenching the fear of the heavenly judgement, doth carelessly follow his own affections, he denieth that there is a God. And this is the just vengeance of god, to draw a fatness over their hearts, so that the wicked when they have ones closed their eyes,2 even in seeing may not see. And David in an other place is the best expounder of his own meaning, where he saith: That the fear of God is not before the eyes of the wicked:3 Again: that in their evil doings they proudly rejoice at them selves, because they persuade them ⟨p. 5⟩selves, ye God doth not look upon them. Therefore although they be compelled to acknowledge some God, yet they do rob him of his glory, in withdrawing from him his power. For a• God (as Paul witnesseth) can not deny him self,4 because he continually abideth like him self: so is it truly said, that these men in feigning God to be a dead and vain image, do deny God. Moreover it is to be noted, that although they wrestle against their own natural feeling, & do desire not only to shake out God from thence, but also to destroy him in heaven, yet their dull hardness can never so far prevail, but that God sometime draweth them back to his judgement seat. But forasmuch as they are not withholden with any fear from running violently against God: