The Institution of Christian Religion

His mercy is multiplied upon us, and the truth of the Lord abideth for ever. Again. I will singe to thy name upon thy mercy and trueth. I omit that which is in the Prophets to the same meaning, that God is merciful and faithful in his promises. For we shall rashly determine that God is merciful unto us, unless himself do testify of himself and prevent us with his calling, lest his will should be doubtful and unknown. But we have already seen, that Christ is the only pledge of his love, without whom on every side appear the tokens of hatred and wrath. Now forasmuch as the knowledge of Gods goodness shall not much prevail, unless he make us to rest in it, therefore such an understanding is to be banished as is mingled with doubting, and doth not soundly agree in it self, but as it were, disputeth with it self. But mans wit, as it is blind and darkened, is far from attaining and climbing up to perceive the very will of God: and also the heart of man, as it wavereth with perpetual doubting, is far from resting assured in that persuasion. Therefore it behoveth both that our wit be lightened, and our heart strengthened by some other mean, that the word of God may be of full credit with us. Now we shall have a perfect definition of faith, if we say, that it is a steadfast & assured knowledge of Gods kindness toward us, which being grounded upon the trueth of the free promise in Christ, is both revealed to our minds, and sealed in our hearts by the holy ghost.

His mercie is multiplied vpon vs, and the truth of the Lorde abydeth for euer. Againe. I will singe to thy name vpon thy mercie and trueth. I omitte that whiche is in the Prophetes to the same meaninge, that God is mercifull and faythfull in hys promyses. For wee shall rashly determine that God is merciefull vnto vs, vnlesse himselfe do testifie of himselfe and preuent vs wyth his callinge, leaste his wil shoulde be doubtful and vnknowen. But we haue already seen, that Christ is ye onely pledge of his loue, without whome on euery side appeare the tokens of hatred and wrath. Nowe forasmuche as the knoweledge of Gods goodnesse shall not muche preuayle, vnlesse he make vs to rest in it, therefore suche an vnderstanding is to be banished as is mingled with doubting, and doth not soundli agree in it selfe, but as it were, disputeth with it selfe. But mans witte, as yt is blinde and darkened, is farre from atteining and climbing vp to perceiue the very will of God: and also the hearte of man, as it wauereth with perpetuall doubting, is farre from resting assured in that persuasion. Therefore it behoueth bothe that our witt be lightned, and oure heart strengthened by some other meane, that ye worde of God may be of ful credit with vs. Now we shal haue a perfect definition of fayth, if we saie, yt it is a stedfast & assured knowledge of Gods kindnes toward vs, which being grounded vpō ye trueth of the free promise in Christ, is both reueled to our mindes, and sealed in our heartes by ye holy ghoste.