A17662:637
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.
But if this seem somewhat entangled: go to, let us come to the §8very form of the covenant, which shall not only satisfy sober wits, but also shall sufficiently convince their ignorance that bend themselves to speak against it. For God did alway thus covenant with his servants:1 I will be to you a God, and ye shall be to me a people. In which words the Prophets themselves are wont to expound, that both life and salvation, and the whole sum of blessedness is comprehended. For David doth not without cause often pronounce,2 that blessed is the people, whose God is the lord: blessed is the nation, which he hath chosen to be his inheritance: and that not for earthly felicities sake, but because he delivereth them from death, he preserveth them for ever, and continually showeth them eternal mercy, whom he hath taken to his people:3 as it is in the other Prophets, Thou art our God, we shall not die: The Lord is our king, our lawmaker, he shall save us. Blessed art thou, O Israel, because thou art saved in the lord God. But, not to labour overmuch in a thing needless, this admonition is sound each where in the Prophets, that we shall want nothing toward all abundance of good things, and assurance of salvation, so that the Lord be our God. And rightfully: For if his face so soon as it beginneth to shine, is a most present pledge of salvation, to what man shall he openly show himself for his God, but that he will also open to him his treasure of salvation?4 For he is our God with this condition, to dwell in the middest of us: as he testified by Moses. But such presence can not be obtained, but that life must be also together had in possession with it. And although there were no more expressed, yet had they a promise of spiritual life plain enough in these words: I am your God.5 For he did not declare that he would be a God unto their bodies alone, but principally to their souls. But souls, unless they be joined to God by righteousness, remain estranged from him in death. But on the other side, let that joining be present, it shall bring everlasting salvation with it.