The Institution of Christian Religion

Therefore in setting out of this point, because it most specially belongeth to this present matter, and for that they make us most controversy about it, we will employ the more earnest travail: but yet so that if there want yet any thing of the explication of the other, it may be by the way supplied, or in convenient place be added. Truly the Apostle taketh away all doubt of them all,¹ when he saith, that God the Father long before by the Prophets in the holy Scriptures promised the Gospel, which he afterward published according to the time appointed.² Again, that the righteousness of faith which is caught by the Gospel it self, hath witness of the law and the Prophets. For the gospel doth not hold the hearts of men in the joy of this present life, but lifteth them up to the hope of immortality: doth not fasten them to earthly delights, but preaching to them a hope laid up in heaven, doth in a manner transport them thither. For thus he defineth in an other place.³ Sins that ye believed the Gospel, ye are sealed up with the holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession purchased. Again, we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus,⁴ and of your charity toward the holy ones, for the hopes sake that is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye have heard by the true speech of the gospel. Again: He hath called us by the gospel to the partaking of the glory of our lord Jesus Christ.⁵ Wherefore it is called, both the word of salvation, and the power of God to save the faithful, and the kingdom of heaven. Now if the doctrine of the gospel be spiritual, and openeth the entry to the possession of an incorruptible life: let us not think that, they to whom it was promised and declared, did pass over and neglect the care of their soul, and lie dully like beasts in seeking pleasures of the body. Neither let any man here cavil that the promises which are sealed in the law and the Prophets, concerning the gospel, were ordained for the new people. For within a little after that which he spake of the Gospel promised in the law, he addeth, that all the things that the law containeth, are without doubt properly directed to them that are under the law. I grant in deed it is in an other argument.