A17662:674
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
Book 2 › Chapter 11: The xi Chapter. Of the difference of the one Testament from the other.
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.
The three last comparisons that we have recited, are of the law §10and the Gospel. Wherefore in them by the name of the Old testament is meant the Law, & by the name of the New testament is meant the Gospel. The first stretched further, for it comprehendeth under it the promises also that were published before the law,1 butte whereas Augustine denieth that they ought to be reckoned under the name of the old testament, therein he thought very well, and meant even the same thing that we do now teach, for he had regard to those sayings of Jeremiah and Paul, where the old testament is severed from the word of mercy and grace. And this also he very aptly adjoineth in the same place, that the children of promise regenerate of God, which by faith working through love, have obeyed the commandments, do from the beginning of the world belong to the ⟨image 159⟩new testament, and that in hope not of fleshly, earthly and temporal▪ but spiritual, heavenly, and eternal good things, principally believing in the mediator, by whom they doubted no• that the spirit was not ministered unto them, both to do good, & to have pardon so oft as they sinned, For the same thing it is that I minded to affirm, that all the Saints whom the Scripture rehearseth to have been from the beginning of the world chosen by God, were partakers of the self same blessing with us unto eternal salvation. This difference therefore is between our division and Augustine's: that ours (according to that saying of Christ:2 The law and the Prophets were unto John: from thenceforth the kingdom of God is preached) doth make distinction between the clearness of the Gospel, and the darker distribution of the word that went before: and Augustine doth only •over the weakness of the law from the strength of the Gospel. And here also is to be noted concerning the holy fathers, that they so lived under the old testament, that they stayed not there, but alway aspired to the new, yea and embraced the assured partaking thereof. For the Apostle condemneth them of blindness and accursedness, which being contented with present shadows, did not stretch up their mind unto Christ.