A17662:794
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 second Chapter. Of faith, wherein both is set the definition of it, and the properties that it hath, are declared.
The seconde Chapiter. Of faithe, wherein bothe is sette the definition of it, and the propreties that it hathe, are declared.
But all these things shall be easy to understand, when there is showed a plain definition of faith, that the readers may know the force and nature thereof. But first it is convenient to call to mind again these things that have ben already spoken, that sith God doth appoint us by his law what we ought to do, if we fall in any point thereof, the same terrible judgement of eternal death that he pronounceth doth rest upon us. Again, that forasmuch as it is not only heard but altogether above our strength and beyond all our power to fulfil the law, if we only behold our selves, & w•ie what estate is worthy for our deservings, ⟨image 188⟩there is no good hope left, but we lie cast away from God under eternal destruction. Thirdly this hath ben declared, that there is but one mean of deliverance to draw us out of so wretched calamity: wherein appeareth Christ the Redeemer, by whose hand it pleased the heavenly father, having mercy upon us of his infinite goodness & clemency, to succour us, so that we with sound faith embrace this mercy, and with constant hope rest upon it. But now it is convenient for us to weigh this, what manner of faith this ought to be, by which all they that are adopted by God to be his children, do enter upon the possession of the heavenly kingdom, forasmuch as it is certain that not every opinion nor yet every persuasion is sufficient to bring to pass so great a thing. And with so much the more care & study must we look about for, and search out the natural property of faith, by how much the more hurtful at this day is the error of many in this behalf. For a great part of the world, hearing the name of faith, conceiveth no higher thing, but a certain common assent to the history of the Gospel. Yea when they dispute of faith in the schools, in barely calling God the object of faith, they do nothing but (as we have said in an other place) by vain speculation rather draw wretched souls out of the right way, than direct them to the true mark.