An abridgement of the Institution of Christian religion written

1 WE have already declared diligently enough, that the only help which is left for men being accursed by the law, to recover salvation, resteth in faith. Again we have showed what faith is and what fruits it bringeth forth.¹ The sum was this, that Christ who is given to us, is laid hold on by faith, by partaking of whom we reap a double fruit: to wit, that being reconciled to God through his innocency, we may have him now in steed of a judge to be a most merciful father in heaven: secondly that being sanctified by his spirit we ⟨p. 188⟩may give our selves to holiness & pureness of living. We have spoken sufficiently of regeneration. And now we must speak of justification, which maketh the principal stay of upholding religion.

1 VVE haue alreadie declared diligentlie enough, that the onlie helpe which is left for men being accursed by the law, to recouer saluation, resteth in faith. Againe we haue shewed what faith is and what fruites it bringeth foorth.¹ The summe was this, that Christ who is giuen to vs, is laid hold on by faith, by partaking of whom we reap a double fruit: to wit, that being reconciled to God through his innocencie, wee may haue him nowe in steed of a iudge to be a most merciful father in heauen: secondlie that being sanctified by his spirite we ⟨p. 188⟩may giue our selues to holines & purenes of liuing. We haue spoken sufficientlie of regeneration. And now we must speake of iustification, which maketh the principall stay of vpholding religion.

1. 1What Christ hath done for us.What Christ hath done for vs.