A17662:995
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.
The sixth Chapter. ¶Of the life of a Christian man: And first by what arguments the Scripture exhorteth us thereunto.
The sixt Chapter. ¶Of the life of a Christian man: And first by what argumentes the Scripture exhorteth vs therunto.
WE have already said, that the mark whereunto regeneration tendeth, is that in the life of the faithful there should appear an agreement and consent between the righteousness of God and their obedience: and that so they should confirm the adoption, whereby they are received to be children. But although his law contain in it self that newness, whereby the image of God is restored in us, yet because our dullness hath need both of many prickings forward & helps, therefore it shall be profitable to gather out of diverse places of the Scripture an order of framing of life, that they that have a desirous mind of amendment, may not wander out of the way in their endeavour. Now when I take upon me the framing of a Christian mans life, I am not ignorant that I enter into a manifold and plenteous argument, & such as may with the greatness thereof fill a long volume, if I would absolutely entreat of it in all points. For we see into what great length are stretched the exhortatory orations of old writers, made only every one of one several virtue. And it is not done with to much idle babbling. For what so ever virtue a man purpose to set out in oration, the stile runneth of it self into such largeness with plenty of matter, that a man can not seem to have discoursed well of it, unless he have spoken much. But my mind is not to stretch so far the institution of life, which I promise to teach, as peculiarly to go through every special virtue, & wander abroad into exhortations. Let such things be fetched out of other mens writings, & specially out of the Homilies of the old fathers. It shall be enough for me to show an orderly trade, whereby a godly man may be guided to a right mark of framing his life, and shortly to appoint out a certain universal rule, by which he may well try what be his duties. There shall peradventure at some other season be a fit time to make declamations, ⟨p. 158⟩