A17662:987
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 it is good to wring out of their hands such places as they §7have falsely & wrongfully taken out of the Scripture. When (say they) the Lord affirmeth that the sin against the holy Ghost should not be forgiven in this world,1 nor in the world to come, thereby he showeth that there is a forgiveness of some sins in the world to come.2 But who seeth not that the Lord there speaketh of the fault of sin?3 Now if it be so, what is that to their Purgatory, for as much as by their opinion the pain is there suffered of those sins, whereof they deny not the fault to be forgiven in this present life? But that they may no more carp against us, they shall have yet a plainer solution. When the Lord meant to cut of all hope of Pardon from so heinous wickedness, he thought it not enough to say that it should never be forgiven: but the more to amplify it, he used a division, wherein he comprehended both the judgement that every mans conscience feeleth in this life, and the last judgement that shall be openly pronounced at the resurrection: as though he should have said: Beware ye of malicious rebellion, as of most present damnation. For he that of set purpose shall endeavour to quench the light of the holy Ghost, shall not obtain pardon, neither in this life, which is given to sinners for their conversion, nor in the last day when the lambs shall be severed by the angels of God from the goats, and the kingdom of heaven shall be cleansed from all offences. Then they bring fourth that parable out of Matthew:4 Agree with thine adversary, least he deliver thee to the Judge, & the judge to the Sergeant, and the Sergeant to the prison, from whence thou shalt not get out, until thou hast payed the uttermost farthing. If in this place the Judge do signify God, and the adversary plaintiff the Devil, the Sergeant the Angel, and the prison Purgatory, I will gladly yield ⟨image 234⟩unto them. But if it be evident to all men, that Christ meant there to show into how many dangers and mischiefs they caste them selves, that had rather obstinately pursue the extremity of the law, than deal according to equity and good right, to the end to exhort his disciples the more earnestly to agreement with equity: where then I pray you shall Purgatory be found?