The Institution of Christian Religion

But by & by after, they deprave & corrupt moderation, adding an other manner of forgiving, with an enjoining of penalty & satisfaction, wherein they presumptuously claim to their own sacrifices a power to part it in halves, which God hath in all places promised us whole together. For when he simply requireth repentance and faith, this partition or exception is a very robbery of God. For it is in effect as much as if the priest taking upon the person of a Tribune, should become intercessor to God, and would not ⟨p. 146⟩suffer God of his mere liberality to receive him into favour, that hath lien prostrate before the Tribunes seats, and there hath ben punished.

But by & by after, they depraue & corrupt moderatiō, addyng an other māner of forgeuyng, with an enioyning of penaltie & satisfaction, wherin thei presumptuously claime to theyr own sacrifices a power to part yt in halfes, which God hath in all places promised vs whole together. For when he simply requireth repentance and faith, this partition or exceptiō is a very robberie of God. For it is in effect asmuche as yf the prest takyng vpon the persone of a Tribune, should become intercessour to God, and would not ⟨p. 146⟩suffer God of his mere liberalitie to receyue him into fauour, that hath lyen prostrate before the Tribunes seates, and there hath ben punished.

The whole sum cometh to this point, that if they will make God §24the author of this counterfeit confession, therein is their falsehood condemned, as I have proved them false forgers in the few places that they allege. But sith it is evident that it is a law made by men, I say that it is both tyrannical and made injuriously against God, who binding mens consciences to his word, will have them free from the bondage of men. Now when for the obtaining of pardon, there is a necessity prescribed of that thing which the Lord would to be free, I say that this is a sacrilege not to be suffered, because there is nothing more properly belonging to God, than to forgive sins, wherein consisteth salvation for us. Moreover I have showed that this tyranny was first brought in, when the world was oppressed with filthy barbarousness. I have also taught that it is a pestilent law, that either throweth down headlong into desperation the poor souls in whom so ever abideth a fear of God: or where there reigneth carelessness, delighteth them with vain flatteries, & so maketh them duller. Last of all I have declared, that what so ever mitigations they bring, tend to no other end, but to entangle, darken and deprave pure doctrine, & hide ungodlinesses with deceitful colours.