The Institution of Christian Religion

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.

The whole summe cōmeth to this point, that yf they wil make God §24the authour of this counterfait confession, therein is their falshod cō demned, as I haue proued them false forgers in the fewe places that they allege. But sithe it is euident that it is a law made by men, I say that it is bothe tirannicall and made iniuriously agaynst God, whoe bindyng mens consciences to his word, will haue them free from the bondage of men. Nowe when for the obteynyng of pardon, there is a necessitie prescribed of that thyng whiche the Lord wold to be free, I say that this is a sacrilege not to be suffred, bycause there is nothing more properly belongyng to God, than to forgeue sinnes, wherein cō sisteth saluation for vs. Moreouer I haue shewed that this tirannie was first brought in, when the world was oppressed with filthy barbarousnesse. I haue also taught that it is a pestilent lawe, that eyther throweth downe hedlong into desperation the poore soules in whom so euer abideth a feare of God: or where there reigneth carlesnesse, deliteth them with vayne flatteries, & so maketh them duller. Last of all I haue declared, that what so euer mitigatiōs they bryng, tend to no other ende, but to entangle, darken and depraue pure doctrine, & hide vngodlinesses with deceitfull colors.