A17662:611
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.
Here therefore let us stick fast, that then our life shall be best framed §54to Gods will and the rule of his law, when it shall be every way most profitable to our brethren. Butte in the whole law there is not read one syllable that appointeth to man any r•le of such things as he shall do or leave undone to the commodity of his own flesh. And surely sith men are so borne of such disposition naturally, that they be to much carried all headlong to the love of them selves, & how much soever they fall from the truth yet still they keep that self love, there needed no law any more to inflame that love,1 that was naturally of it self, to much beyond measure. Whereby it plainly appeareth, that not the love of our selves, but the love of God and of our neighbour is the keeping of the commandments, and that he liveth best and most holily, that (so near as may be) liveth and travaileth least for him self, & that no man liveth worse and more wickedly than he that liveth and travaileth for himself & only thinketh upon & seeketh for things of his own. And the Lord, the more to express with how great earnestness we ought to be led to the love of our neighbours, appointed it to be measured by the love of our selves as by a rule, because he had no other more vehement or stronger affection to measure it by. And the force of the manner of speaking is diligently to be weighed. For he doth not, as certain Sophisters have foolishly dreamed, give the first degree to the love of our selves, and the second to charity, but rather that affection of love which we do all naturally draw to our selves, he giveth away unto other, whereupon the Apostle saith,2 that Charity seeketh not her own. And their reason is not to be esteemed worth a hear that the thing ruled is ever inferior to his Rule. For God doth not make the love of our selves a rule whereunto charity toward other should be subject, but whereas by perverseness of nature, the affection of love was wont to rest in our selves, he showeth that now it ought to be else where spread abroad, that we should with no less cheerfulness, ferventness, and carefulness be ready to do good to our neighbour than to our selves.
Here therefore let vs sticke faste, that then oure lyfe shalbe best framed