A17662:832
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.
and by this token is plainly showed, that the word which is an uncorruptible seed, bringeth forth fruit like to it self, the spring whereof doth never whither and utterly perish▪ for whereas this is the extremest matter of despair to the holy ones to •ele according to the consideration of present things, the ⟨image 197⟩hand of God bent to their destruction:1 yet Job affirmeth that his hope shall proceed so far▪ that though God do kill him, yet he will not therefore cease to trust in him. This is the truth therefore: Unbelief reigneth not within the hearts of the godly, but outwardly assaileth them: neither doth she deadly wound them with her weapons, but only troubleth them, or so hurteth them, that yet the wound is curable. for faith,2 as Paul teacheth, serveth us for a shield: that being holden up against weapons, doth so receive the force of them, that it either utterly driveth them back, or at least so breaketh their violence, that they can not pierce them to danger of life. Therefore when faith is shaken, it is like as if a strong soldier with the violent stroke of a dart be compelled to remove his foot, and give ground a little: and when faith it self is wounded, that is like as if his buckler by some stroke be in some part broken, but yet so that it is not stricken through. For alway the godly mind will attain to rise thus hie as to say with David,3 If I walk in the middest of the shadow of death, I will fear none evil, because thou art with me. It is in deed terrible to walk in the darkness of death & it can not be but that the faithful, how much strength soever they have must be afraid of it. Yet because this thought surmounteth it, that they have God present with them, and providing for their safety, that fear is overcome with assuredness. For (as Augustine saith) how great engines so ever the devil raiseth up against us, so long as he possesseth not the place of the heart, where faith dwelleth, he is cast out of the doors. And so if we may judge by the success, the faithful not only escape safe from every battle, so that by and by receiving fresh courage they are ready to come again into the field: but also that is fulfilled which John saith in his canonical Epistle: This is the victory that overcometh the world,