A17662:790
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.
But that this, being a matter specially worthy to be known, may be made more certainly evident, we must hold this in mind, that Christ came furnished with the holy Spirit after a certain peculiar manner, to the end that he might sever us from the world, and gather us together into the hope of an eternal inheritance. For this cause he is called the Spirit of sanctification, because he doth not only quicken and nourish us with that general power which appeareth as well in mankind as in all other living creatures, but also is in us the root and feed of heavenly life. Therefore the Prophets do principally commend the kingdom of Christ by this title of prerogative, that then should flourish more plentiful abundance of the Spirit. And notable above all the rest is that place of Joel:1 In that day I will pour of my Spirit upon all flesh. For though the Prophet there seem to restrain the gifts of the Spirit to the office of prophesying, yet under a figure he meaneth, that God by the enlightening of his Spirit will make those his scholars which before were unskilful and void of all heavenly doctrine. Now forasmuch as God the Father doth for his Sons sake give us his holy Spirit, & yet hath left with him the whole fullness thereof, to the end that he should be a minister and distributer of his liberality: he is sometime called the Spirit of the Father, and sometime the Spirit of the Sonne.2 Ye are not (saith Paul) in the flesh, but in the Spirit, for the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any have not the spirit of Christ, he is not his. And hereupon he putteth us in hope of full renewing, for that he which raised up Christ from the dead, shall quicken our mortal bodies because of his Spirit dwelling in us.3 For it is not absurdity, that to the Father be ascribed the praise of his own gifts, whereof he is the author: & yet that the same be ascribed to Christ, with whom the gifts of the Spirit are left, that he may give them to those that be his.4 Therefore he calleth all them that thirst, to come to him to drink. And Paul teacheth that the Spirit is distributed to every one, according to the measure of the gift of Christ.