A17662:640
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.
Abraham in deed may be one alone to be compared with a hundred §11thousand,1 if we consider his faith, which is set for•• unto us for y• best rule of believing, of whose kindred we must be accounted, that we may be the children of God. But what more absurdity is there▪ than Abraham to be the father of all the faithful, and not to possess so much as the smallest corner among them? but he can not be thrown down out of the number, no not from the most honourable degree, but that the whole church must be destroyed. Now as touching the experiences of his life: When he was first called by the commandment of God, he was plucked away from his country, his parents and his friends, in whom men think to be the chief sweetness of life: even as if God of determined purpose meant to spoil him of all the pleasures of life. So soon as he came into the land where he was commanded to dwell, he was driven out from thence with famine. Thither he fled for succour, where to save himself, he was compelled to deliver out his wife to be abused, which we know not whether it were not more bitter to him than many deaths. When he was returned into the land of his own dwelling, he was driven out again from thence with famine. What a felicity is this, to dwell in that land, wherein a man must so oft be hungry, yea die for famine if he run not away? And therewithal he was brought to that necessity with Abimelech,2 that he must needs redeem his life with the loss of his wife, while many years long he wandered uncertainly hither and thither, he was compelled by the continual brawlings of his servants to put away his nephew, whom he loved as his own son. Which departing without doubt he did no otherwise take, than if he had suffered the cutting of one of his limbs. A little after, he heard that he was carried away captive by his enemies. Whether so ever he went, he found neighbours outrageously barbarous, which would not suffer him so much as to drink water out of the wells that himself had digged with great labour. For he would not have redeemed the use of them at the hand of king Gerar, if he had not first ben forbidden.