A17662:773
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.
The .xvii. Chapter. ¶ That it is truly and properly said, that Christ hath deserved Gods favour and salvation for us.
The .xvii. Chapter. ¶ That it is truely and properly sayde, that Christ hath deserued Gods fauour and saluation for vs.
This question is also to be assoiled for an addition. For there are some subtle men after a wrong manner, which, although they confess that we obtain salvation by Christ, yet can not abide to hear the name of deserving, by which they think the grace of God to be obscured: & so they will have Christ to be only the instrument or minister, not the author, guide, or Prince of life,1 as Peter calleth him. In deed I confess, that if a man will set Christ simply and by himself against the judgement of God, then there shall be no room for deserving: because there can not be found in man any worthiness that may deserve the favour of God: But, as Augustine most truly writeth,2 the most clear light of predestination and grace is our Saviour himself, the man Christ Jesus, which hath obtained so to be, by the nature of man, which is in him, without any deservings of works or of faith going before. ⟨p. 104⟩I beseech you let me be answered, whereby that same Man deserved to be taken up by the Word that is coeternal with the father into one person, and so to be the only begotten son of God. Let therefore appear in our head the very fountain of grace, from whom according to the measure of every one, it floweth abroad into all his members. By that grace every one from the beginning of his faith is made a Christian. by which that same man from his beginning was made Christ.