A17662:770
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.
Christ doth in deed here show to them that be his, plain proves of his power present among them: but because under the baseness of flesh his kingdom doth in a manner lie hidden in earth, therefore for good cause is faith called to think upon that visible presence, which he will openly show at the last day.1 For he shall in visible form come down from heaven, even such as he was seen to go up: and he shall appear to all men with unspeakable majesty of his kingdom,2 with bright glistering of immortality, with infinite power of godhead, with a guard of Angeles. From thence therefore we are bidden to look for him to come our redeemer at that day, when he shall sever the Lambs from the Goaste, the chosen from the forsaken: and there shall be none of all, either the quick or the dead, that shall escape his judgement. For from the furthest corners of the world shall be heard the sound of the trumpet,3 wherewith all shall be called to his judgement seat, both they that shall be found alive at that day, & they whom death hath before taken out of the company of the quick. Some there be that in this place expound the words of the Quick and the dead otherwise: and we see that some of the old writers did stick in doubt upon the construction of this article. But as the aforesaid meaning is plain & easy to perceive: so doth it better agree with the Creed which is evident that it was written according the capacity of the common people. And herewith nothing disagreeth that which the Apostle affirmeth,4 that it is appointed to all men ones to die. For although they which shall remain in mortal life at the last judgement, shall not dye after a natural manner and order: yet that change which they shall suffer, because it shall be like a death, is not unproperly called death. It is in ⟨image 182⟩deed certain,5 that not all shall sleep, but all shall be […] meaneth that▪ In one moment their mortal life shall perish […] be swallowed up and be utterly transformed into a new nature. This perishing of the flesh no man can deny to be a death: and yet in the meantime it remaineth true, that the quick & the dead shall be summoned to the judgement: