A17662:612
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.
Now sith Christ hath showed in the parable of the Samaritan ye §55under the name of Neighbour every man is contained be he never so strange unto us:1 there is no cause why we should restrain the commandment of love within the bonds of our own friendships & acquaintances. I deny not that the nearer it any man is unto us, the more familiarly he is to be holpen with our endeavours to do him good. For so the order of humanity requireth, ye so many moe duties of friendship men should communicate together, as they are bound together with straighter bonds of ky•red, familiarity or neighbourhood, and that without any offence of God, by whose providence we are in a manner driven thereunto. ⟨image 144⟩But I say that all mankind without exception is to be embraced with one affection of charity: & that in this behalf is no difference of Barbarous or Grecian, of worthy or unworthy, of friend or foe, because they are to be considered in God and not in them selves: from which consideration when we turn away, it is no marvel if we be entangled with many errors. Wherefore if we will keep the true trade of loving, we must not turn our eyes unto man, the sight of whom would oftener enforce us to hate than to love, but unto God which commandeth that the love which we offer him, be poured abroad among all men: that this be a perpetual foundation, that whatsoever the man be, yet he ought to be loved because God is loved.
Now sith Christe hath shewed in the parable of the Samaritane ye §55vnder the name of Neighboure euery man is conteined be he neuer so strange vnto vs:1 ther is no cause whi we shold restraine ye cōmaūdemēt of loue within ye bondes of our owne frendshippes & acquaintances. I deny not yt the nerer yt any man is vnto vs, ye more familiarli he is to be holpen with our endeuours to do him good. For so the ordie of huma•itie req•ireth, ye so many moe dueties of friendship men shold cōmunicate togither, as they are bounde togither wyth streighter bondes of kyred, familiaritie or neighebourehoode, and that wythout any offense of God, by whose prouidence we are in a manner driuen thervnto.