The Institution of Christian Religion

But thou wilt say, is it then more available to the perfection of righteousness, to live innocently among men, than with true godlynesse to honore God? No, but because a man doth not easily keep charity in all points, unless he earnestly fear God, therefore it is thereby proved, that he hath Godliness also. Beside that, forasmuch as the Lord well knoweth, that no benefit can come from us unto him, which thing he doth also testify by the Prophet:¹ therefore he requireth not our duties to him self, but doth exercise us in good works toward our neighbour. Therefore not without cause the Apostle setteth the whole perfection of the holy ones in charity.² And not inconveniently in an other place he calleth the same the fulfilling of the law: adding that he hath performed the law that loveth his neighbour. Again, That all the law is comprehended ⟨p. 56⟩in one word, Love thy neighbour as thy self. For he teacheth no other thing but the same which Christ doth when he saith:³ Whatsoever ye will that men do to you, do ye the same to them. For this is the law and the Prophets. It is certain, that in the law and the Prophets, Faith & all that belongeth to the true worship of God, holdeth the principal place, and that Love is beneath it in a lower degree: but the Lords meaning is, that in the law is only prescribed unto us an observation of right and equity, wherein we be exercised to testify our Godly fear of him, if there be any in us.

But thou wilt say, is it then more auailable to the perfection of righteousnesse, to liue innocently among men, than with true godlynesse to honore God? No, but bicause a man doth not easilye kepe charitie in all pointes, vnlesse he earnestli feare God, therfore it is therby proued, that he hathe Godlinesse also. Biside that, for asmuch as the Lord well knoweth, that no benifite can come from vs vnto him, which thing he doth also testifie by ye Prophet:¹ therfore he requireth not our dueties to him self, but doth exercise vs in good workes toward our neighbour. Therfore not wtout cause ye Apostle setteth ye whole perfectiō of ye holy ones in charitie.