A17662:982
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 how maliciously do they wrest that place of Paul where he §4saith,1 that he supplieth in his body those things that wanted of the sufferings of Christ? For he referreth not that default or supplying, to the work of redemption, satisfaction, & expiation: but to those afflictions wherewith all the members of Christ, that is to say, all the faithful must be exercised, so long as they shall be in this flesh. He saith therefore, that this remaineth of the sufferings of Christ, that he daily suffereth in his members the same that he ones suffered in him self. Christ vouchsafeth to do us so great honour, to reckon and account our afflictions his own. Where as Paul added these words, For the church. he meaneth not for the redemption, for the reconciliation, for the satisfaction of the church, but for the edifying and profit of the church. As in an other place he saith,.2 that he suffereth all things for the elects sakes, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. And he wrote to the Corinthians,3 that he suffered all the troubles that he suffered, for their con fort and salvation. And immediately in the same place he expoundeth him self, when he sayeth further, that he was made a minister of the church, not for redemption, but according to the dispensation that was committed unto him, to preach the Gospel of Christ. If they yet require an other expositor,4 let them hear Augustine. The sufferings of Christ (saith he) are in Christ only as in the head: and both in Christ and the church, as in the whole body. Whereby Paul being one member saith, I supply in my body that which wanteth in the sufferings of Christ. Therefore if thou, whatsoever thou be that hearest this, art one of the members of Christ, what so ever thou sufferest of them that are not the members of Christ, that same wanted in the sufferings of Christ. But whereunto the sufferings of the Apostles taken for the church of Christ do tend, he expoundeth in an other place where he sayeth: Christ is to me the gate unto you:5