A17662:886
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.
are not these the powers of the soul, to be affected with sudden motions, to comprehend with wit, to conceive with mind? Therefore, when these do open a way for vain or corrupt thoughts to enter into them, do they not show that they are even so much void of the love of God? Wherefore, who so confesseth not that all the lusts of the flesh are sins, and that the same disease of lusting which they call a feeding, is the well spring of sin, he must needs deny that the transgression of the law is sin.
are not these the powers of ye soule, to be affected with sodeine motions, to cōprehend with wit, to cōceyue with minde? Therfore, when these do open a way for vaine or corrupt thoughtes to entre into them, do they not shew that they are euen so much voide of the loue of God? Wherfore, who so confesseth not that all the lustes of the flesh are sinnes, and that the same disease of lusting which they call a fedyng, is the well spryng of sinne, he muste needes denie that the transgression of the lawe is sinne.
If any man think it an absurdity, that all the desires wherewith man is naturally moved in affection, are universally condemned, whereas they be put into man by God the author of nature. We answer, that we do not condemn those desires that God hath so engraven into the mind of man at the first creation, that they can not be rooted out without destroying the very nature of man, but only outrageous and unbridled motions that fight against the ordinance of God. But now sith by reason of the perverseness of nature all her powers are infected and corrupted, that in all her doings appeareth a continual disorder and intemperance, because the desires can not be severed from such intemperance: therefore we say that they are corrupt. Or (if you like to have the whole sum in fewer words) we teach that all the desires of men are evil: and we accuse them to be guilty of sin, not in that that they are natural, but for that they are inordinate: and we call them inordinate, because no pure or clean thing can come out of a corrupt and unclean nature.1