The Institution of Christian Religion

As for his wisdom, it self showeth it self manifestly excellent, while it disposeth every thing in fittest opportunity, confoū death the wisdom of the world be it never so piercing, findeth out the subtle in their subtlety, finally governeth all things by most convenient order.

As for his wysedome, it selfe sheweth it selfe manifestly excellent, while it disposeth euery thing in fittest oportunitie, confoū deth the wisedom of the worlde be it neuer so pearcyng, fyndeth out the subtile in their subtiltie, finally gouerneth all thinges by moste conuenient order.

We see that it needeth no long or laboursome demonstration, to fetch out testimonies, to serve for the glorious declaration and proof of gods majesty: for by these few that we have touched it appeareth, that which way soever a man chance to look, they are so common & ready that they may be easily marked with eye, & pointed out with the finger. And here again is to be noted, that we are called to the knowledge of god, not such as contented with vain speculation, doth but fly about in the brain, but such as shall be sound and fruitful, if it be rightly conceived and take root in our hearts. For the Lord is declared by his powers, the force whereof because we feel within us, and do enjoy the benefits of them, it must needs be that we be inwardly moved much more lively with such a knowledge, then if we should imagine God to be such a one, of whom we should have no feeling. Whereby we understand, that this is the rightest way and fittest order to seek God, not to attempt to enter deeply with presumptuous curiosity, throughly to discuss his substance, which is rather to be reverently worshipped than scrupulously searched, but rather to behold him in his works, by which he maketh him self near and familiar, and doth in a manner communicate him self unto us. And this the apostle meant when he said,¹ that God is not to be sought afar of, forasmuch as he with his most present power dwelleth within every one of us. Wherefore David having before confessed his unspeakable greatness, when he descendeth to the particular rehearsal of his works, protesteth that the same will show forth it self. Therefore we also ought to give our selves unto such a searching out of God, as may so hold our wit suspended with admiration, that it may therewithal throughly move us with effectual feeling.