A17662:73
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.
Shall we be so counted the inventers of so many arts and profitable things, that God shall be defrauded of his praise, where as yet experience sufficiently teacheth, that from an other and not from our selves, all that we have, is in diverse wise distributed among us? As for that, which some do babble of the secrete inspiration that giveth liveliness to the world, it is not only weak, but also ungodly. They like well that famous saying of Virgil.
Shall we be so compted the inuenters of so many artes and profitable thynges, that God shalbe defrauded of his praise, where as yet experience sufficiently teacheth, that from an other and not from our selues, all that we haue, is in diuerse wise distributed amonge vs? As for that, which some do babble of the secrete inspiracion that geueth lyuelines to the worlde, it is not onely weake, but also vngodly. They lyke well that famous saying of Uergile.
1First heaven, and earth, and flowing fields of seas, The shining globe of Moon, and Ti•ans stars, Sprite feeds within, and throughout all the limbs Infused mind the whole huge mass doth move, And with the large big body mix it self. Thence come the kinds of men and eke of beasts, And lives of flying fowls, and monsters strange, That water bears within the marble sea. A fiery liveliness and heavenly race there is Within those seeds. &c.
1Fyrst heauen, and earth, and flovvyng fieldes of seas, The shinyng globe of Moone, and Ti•ans starres, Sprite fedes vvithin, and throughout all the lymmes Infused mynde the vvhole huge masse dooth moue, And vvith the large bigge body mixe it selfe. Thense come the kyndes of men and eke of beastes, And lyues of fliyng foules, and monsters straunge, That vvater beares vvithin the marble sea. A fyry lyuelynesse and heauenly race there is VVithin those seedes. &c.