A17662:602
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 tenth Commandment.
The tenthe Commaundement.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house. &c.
Thou shalte not couet thy neighboures house. &c.
The end of this commandment is, that because the lords will is ye our soul be wholly possessed with the affection of love: all lust is to be shaken out of our mind ⟨image 142⟩that is contrary to charity. The sum therefore shall be, that no thought creep into us, which may move our minds with a concupiscence hurtful and turning toward an others loss: wherewith on the other side agreeth the commandment, that whatsoever we conceive, purpose, will or study upon, be joined with the benefit and commodity of our neighbours. But here, as it seemeth, ariseth a hard and cumbersome difficulty. For if it be truly said of us before that under the names of fornication and theft are contained the lust of fornication, and the purpose to hurt and deceive, it may seem superfluously spoken, that the coveting of other mens goods should afterward be severally forbidden us. Butte the distinction between purpose and coveting, will easily loose us this knot. For purpose (as we have meant in speaking of it in the other commandments before) is deliberate consent of will, when lust hath subdued the mind: butte coveting may be without any such either advisement or assent, when the mind is only pricked and tickled with vain and perverse objects. As therefore the Lord hath heretofore commanded, that the rule of charity should govern our wills, studies and works: so he now commandeth the conceptions of our mind to be directed to the same rule, that there be none of them crooked and writhen, that may provoke our mind an other way. As he hath forbidden our mind to be bowed and led into wrath, hatred, fornication, robbery, and lying: so he doth now forbid us to be moved thereunto.