A17662:908
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 when he saith, that there is left no sacrifice for them that sin willingly after knowledge of the truth received, he doth not deny, y• Christ is a continual sacrifice to purge the iniquities of the holy ones (which he expressly crieth out almost in the whole epistle, where he declareth y• priesthood of Christ) but he saith, that there remaineth no other when that is ones forsaken: & it is forsaken, when the truth of the gospel is of set purpose renounced.
For when he sayth, that there is left no sacrifice for them that sinne willingly after knowlege of the truthe receiued, he doth not denie, y• Christ is a continual sacrifice to purge the iniquities of the holy ones (which he expresly crieth out almost in ye whole epistle, where he declareth y• priesthode of Christ) but he sayth, that there remaineth no other whē that is ones forsaken: & it is forsaken, when the truth of the gospell is of set purpose renounced.
But whereas some do think it to hard and to far from the tender mercifulness of God, that any are put away that flee to beseeching the lords mercy: that is easily answered. For he doth not say, that pardon is denied them if they turn to the lord: but he utterly denieth, that ⟨p. 136⟩they can rise unto repentance, because they are by the just judgement of God stricken with eternal blindness for their unthankfulness. And it maketh nothing to the contrary that afterward he applieth to this purpose the example of Esau, which in vain attempted with howling and weeping to recover his right of the first begotten. And no more doth that threatening of the Prophet, When they cry, I will not hear.1 For in such phrases of speech is meant neither the true conversion, nor calling upon God, but that carefulness of the wicked wherewith being bound, they are compelled in extremity to look unto that which before they carelessly neglected, that there is no good thing for them but in the Lords help. But this they do not so much call upon, as they mourn that it is taken from them. Therefore the Prophet meaneth nothing else by Crying, and the Apostle nothing else by Weeping, but that horrible torment which by desperation fretteth and vexeth the wicked. This it is good to mark diligently: for else God should disagree with himself,