A17662:965
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.
But the faithful being admonished by his correction, by and by descend to consider their sins, and being stricken with dread and horror, they flee in humble wise to pray to him for pardon, unless the Lord did assuage these sorrows wherewith the poor souls torment themselves, they would •ainte a hundred times even in small tokens of his wrath.
But the faythfull beyng admonished by his correction, by and by descend to consider their sinnes, and beyng striken with dread and horrour, they flee in hūble wise to pray to him for pardon, vnlesse the Lord dyd aswage these sorrowes wherwith the poore soules torment themselues, they would •ainte a hundred times euen in smal tokens of his wrath.
Then let this be the second distinction, that when the reprobate are §33stricken with the scourges of God, they do already after a certain manner begin to suffer pains by his judgement, and though they shall not escape unpunished, for that they have not taken heed to such tokens of the wrath of God, yet they are not punished to this end, to make them come to a better mind: but only that, to their great hurt, they should prove God to be a judge and revenger. But children are beaten with rods, not that they should thereby be punished of God for their sins, but that they should thereby profit to amendment. Therefore we take it that they rather have respect to the time to come, than to the time paste.1 This I had rather express in Chrysostoms words than mine own. For this (saith he) God doth lay pain upon us, not punishing our sins past, but correcting us against time to come. And so saith Augustine: That which thou sufferest, that for which thou lamentest, is a medicine to thee and no pain, a chastisement and no damnation. Put not away the scourge, if thou wilt not be put away from the inheritance, &c. Know ye brethren that all this misery of mankind when the world groaneth is a medicinal sorrow, and not a penal sentence. &c. These sentences I have therefore thought good to allege, that the manner of speech that I have above written, should not seem to any man new and unused. And hereunto serve all the con plaints full of indignation wherein the Lord oftentimes doth expostulate of the unkindness of the people, for that they stiffly despised all punishments. In Isaiah he saith: