A17662:800
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.
In deed I deny not (such is the ignorance wherewith we are compassed)§3 that there now be & hereafter shall be many things wrapped & hidden from us, till having put of the burden of our flesh we come nearer to the presence of God: in which very things that be hidden from us, nothing is more profitable than to suspend our judgment, but to stay our mind in determined purpose to keep unity with the Church. But under this colour to entitle ignorance tempered with humility by the name of faith,1 is a great absurdity. For faith lieth in knowledge of God & of Christ not in reverence of the church. And we see what a maze they have framed with this their hidden implication, that any thing whatsoever it be without any choice, so that it be thrust in under title of the Church, is greedy received of the ignorant as it were an oracle, yea sometime also most monstrous errors. Which unadvised lightness of belief, whereas it is a most certain downfall to ruin, is yet excused by them, for that it believeth nothing determinately, but with this condition adjoined, if the faith of the Church be such. So do they feign, that truth is holden in error, light in blindness, true knowledge in ignorance. But because we will not tarry long in confuting them, we do only warn the readers to compare their doctrine with ours. For the very plainness of the trueth it self will of it self minister a confutation ready enough. For this is not the question among them, whether faith be yet wrapped with many remnants of ignorance, but they definitively say that they believe aright, which stand amazed in their ignorance, ⟨image 189⟩yea and do ••atter them selves therein, so that they do agree to the authority & judgement of the Church, concerning things unknown. As though the Scripture did not everywhere teach, that with faith is joined knowledge.
In dede I denie not (such is ye ignorance wherwith we are cōpassed)§3 yt ther now be & herafter shalbe many thinges wrapped & hidden from vs, till hauing put of the burden of our flesh we come nerer to the presence of God: in which very thinges that be hidden from vs, nothing is more profitable than to suspend our iudgment, but to stay our mind in determined purpofe to kepe vnitie with the Churche. But vnder thys coloure to entitle ignoraunce tempered with humilitie by the name of faith,