A17662:688
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.
He that shall be diligently heedful in considering these things as he §4ought, will easily neglect those wandering speculations that •avish unto them light spirits & desirous of novelty: of which sort is, that Christ should have ben man, although there had ben no need of remedy to redeem mankind. I grant that in the first degree of creation, & in •he state of nature uncorrupted he was set as head over Angels and men. For which cause Paul calleth him the first begotten of all creatures.1 […] sith all the Scripture crieth out, that he was clothed with flesh, that he might be the Redeemer: it is to much rash presumption to imagine any other cause or end. To what end Christ was promised from the beginning it is well enough known: eve to restore the world fallen in ruin, and to succour men being lost. Therefore under the law, the image of him was set forth in sacrifices, to make the faithful to hope that God would be merciful to them, when after satisfaction made for sin, he should be reconciled. But whereas in all ages, even when the law was not yet published, the Mediator was never promised without blood: we gather that he was appointed by the eternal counsel of God to purge the filthiness of men, for that the shedding of blood is a token of expiation. The Prophets so preached of him that they promised that he should be the reconciler of God and men. That one specially notable testimony of Isaiah shall suffice us for all,2 where he foretelleth, that he shall be stricken with the hand of God for the sins of the people, ⟨image 162⟩that the chastisement of peace should be upon him: and that he should be a priest that should offer up himself for sacrifice: that of his wounds should come health to other: and that, because all have strayed and ben scattered abroad like sheep, therefore it pleased God to punish him, that he might bear the iniquities of all. Sith we hear that Christ is properly appointed by God to help wretched sinners, who so ever passeth beyond these bounds, he doth to much follow foolish curiosity. Now when himself was ones come, he affirmed this to be the cause of his coming, to appease God, and gather us up from death into life. The same thing did the Apostles testify of him.