An abridgement of the Institution of Christian religion written

6 Hitherto we have handled those actions which appertain unto the spiritual life, wherein we have seen the weakness of will:¹ let us now §2see what liberty man hath in those actions which are neither just of them selves, nor yet corrupt, and ⟨p. 78⟩do rather appertain unto the bodily life. Surely if we weigh with our own understanding the administrations of outward things, we shall nothing doubt that they are so far placed under mans will, but if we give ear to so many testimonies which cry that the Lord doth also govern our minds in these things, they shall enforce us to make our will subject to the special motion of the grace of God, who did reconcile the wills of the Egyptians to the Israelites,² that they should lend them all precious things*? Neither would Jacob surely have said of his son Joseph (whom he thought to have been a profane Egyptian) God grant that you may find mercy in the sight of this man^*.⁴

6 Hitherto we haue handeled those actions which appertaine vnto the spirituall life, wherein we haue seene the weakenesse of will:¹ let vs nowe §2see what libertie man hath in those actions which are neither iust of them selues, nor yet corrupt, and ⟨p. 78⟩do rather appertaine vnto the bodily life. Surely if we weigh with our own vnderstanding the administrations of outward things, we shall nothing doubt that they are so farre placed vnder mans will, but if we giue eare to so manie testimonies which crie that the Lord doth also gouerne our minds in these thinges, they shall enforce vs to make our will subiect to the speciall motion of the grace of God, who did reconcile the willes of the Aegyptians to the Israelites,