A17662:904
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.
For he doth not (as some fondly rigorous men would have it) cut of hope of pardon from all wilful sins: but teacheth that apostasy is unworthy of all excuse: so that it is no marvel that God doth punish a contempt of himself so full of sacrilege, with unappeasable rigour. For he saith that it is impossible,1 that they which have ones ben enlightened, have tasted of the heavenly gift, have ben made partakers of the holy ghost, have tasted of the good word of God & the powers of the world to come, if they fall, should be renewed to repentance, crucifying again of new, and making a scorn of the son of God. Again in an other place:2 If (saith he) we willingly sin after knowledge of the truth received, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain dreadful expectation of judgement, &c. These also be the places, out of the wrong understanding whereof, the Novatians in old time have gathered matter to play the mad men: with whose rigorousness certain ⟨p. 135⟩good men being offended, believed this to be a counterfeit Epistle in the Apostles name, which yet in all parts doth truly favour of an Apostolic spirit. But because we contend with none but with them that allow it, it is easy to show, how these sentences do nothing maintain their error. First it is necessary that the Apostle agree with his master, which affirmeth that all sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven, except the sin against the holy Ghost, which is not forgiven neither in this world, nor in the world to come. It is certain (I say) that the Apostle was contented with this exception, unless we will make him an adversary to the grace of Christ. Whereupon followeth, that pardon is denied to no special offences, but only to one, which proceeding of a desperate rage, can not be ascribed to weakness, and openly showeth that a man is possessed of the Devil.
For he doth not (as some fondly rigorous men would haue it) cut of hope of pardon from all wilfull sinnes: but teacheth that apostasie is vnworthy of all excuse: so that it is no maruell that God doth punish a contempt of himself so full of sacrilege, with vnappeasable rigour. For he sayth yt it is impossible,1