A17662:894
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.
Now it may be also perceived what be the fruits of repentance,§16 even the duties of godliness toward God, and of charity toward men, and therewithal a holiness and pureness in all our life: Finally, the more earnestly that any man examineth his life by the rule of Gods law, so much the surer tokens he showeth of his repentance. Therefore the holy ghost oftentimes, when he exhorteth us to repentance, calleth us sometime to all the commandments of the law, sometime to the duties of the second table. Albeit in other places after that he hath condemned uncleanness in the very fountain of the heart, he descendeth afterward to outward testimonies that do set out true repentance: of which thing I will hereafter set before the readers eyes a table in the description of a Christian life. I will not gather testimonies out of the Prophets, wherein they partly scorn at their follies that go about to appease God with ceremonies, and do show that they be mere mockeries, and partly do teach that outward uprightness of life is not the principal part of repentance, ⟨image 212⟩because God looketh upon the heart: who so ever is even meanly exercised in the scripture, shall perceive of himself without any other mans putting in mind,1 that when we have to do with God, we labour in vain, unless we begin at the inward affection of the heart. And the place of Joel shall not a little help to the understanding of the rest,2 where he saith: Tear your hearts and not your garments. Also both those points are expressed in these words of James:3 Ye wicked doers, cleanse your hands: ye double men, purge your hearts. Where in deed there is an addition joined to the first part, but after is showed the very fountain and beginning that they must wipe away their secret filthiness, that there may be an altar set up to God in the very heart. Beside this there are also certain outward exercises which we use privately as remedies to humble our selves or to tame our flesh, and publicly for the declaration of repentance. And they proceed from that punishment of which Paul speaketh,4