The Institution of Christian Religion

forasmuch as he is described to them to be considered such a one as is loving and merciful,¹ far from wrath, of much goodness, gentle unto all, pouring forth his mercy upon all his works.

for asmuch as he is described to them to be considered such a one as is louyng and mercifull,¹ far from wrath, of much goodnesse, gentle vnto all, pouryng forth his mercie vpon al his workes.

1. 1Ps. lxxxvi.v. and ciii.lxixi.v.

Neither yet do I regard the barkynges of Pyghius, or such other dogs, when they find fault with this restraint, as though in dividing faith, it did take hold but of one piece thereof. I grant (as I have already said) that the general object of faith (as they term it) is the truth of God, whether he threaten or put us in hope of favour. Wherefore the Apostle ascribeth this to faith,¹ that Noah feared the destruction of the world, when it was not yet seen. If the fear of a punishment shortly to come, was the work of faith, then ought not the threatenings to be excluded out of the definition of faith. This is in deed true. But the cavillers do unjustly accuse us, as though we denied that faith hath respect to all the parts of the word of god. For our meaning is only to show those two things, first, that faith never steadfastly standeth until it come to the free promise: & then that we are no otherwise by it be reconciled to God, but because it coupleth us to Christ. Both those points are worthy to be noted. We seek such a faith, which may make difference between y• children of God