A17662:895
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.
Moreover he that well bethinketh him how grievous a thing it is to have offended the justice of God, can not rest until he have in his own humility given glory to God. Such exercises the old writers do oftentimes rehearse, when they speak of the fruits of repentance. But albeit they do not place the whole force of repentance in them, yet the readers shall pardon me, if I speak what I think: it seemeth unto me that they stand to much upon them. And if any man will wisely weigh it, I trust he will agree with me, that they have two ways gone beyond measure. For when they so much enforced, and with immeasurable commendations advanced that bodily discipline, this in deed they obtained, that the people did the more earnestly embrace it, but they in a manner darkened that, which ought to have ben of much greater importance. Secondly, in giving punishments they were somewhat more rigorous than ecclesiastical mildness may bear, as we shall have occasion to show in an other place.
Moreouer he that wel bethinketh him how greuous a thing it is to haue offended the iustice of God, can not rest vntill he haue in his owne humilitie geuen glorie to God. Such exercises the olde writers do oftentimes rehearse, when they speake of the frutes of repentance. But albeit they doe not place the whole force of repētance in them, yet the readers shall pardō me, if I speake what I thinke: it semeth vnto me that they stand to much vpon them. And if any man will wisely weye it, I truste he will agree with me, that they haue two wayes gone beyond measure. For when they so muche enforced, and with inmesurable commendations aduaunced that bodyly discipline, this in deede they obteyned, that the people did the more earnestly embrace it, but they in a manner darkened that, whiche ought to haue ben of much greater importance. Secondely, in geuing punishmentes they were somewhat more rigorous than ecclesiasticall mildenesse maye beare, as we shal haue occasion to shew in an other place.
But because many when they hear weeping, fasting and ashes spoken of,1