The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reverend father, M. John Calvin, compendiously…The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reuerend father, M. Iohn Caluin, compendiously…

Cap. 4. That the same knowledge is either choked, or corrupted, partly by ignorance, partly by malice.

Cap. 4. That the same knowledge is either choked, or corrupted, partlie by ignorance, partlie by malice.

Although God have sown the seed of religion in all men, yet few cherish it being conceived in heart, & there is none at all in whom it ripeneth: so far of is it, that any fruit appeareth in due time, but there are two causes thereof, that is to say, ignorance and malice. As touching the first, it cometh of this, that many are deceived even in their own superstitions:¹ neither yet are they excusable, that they fell into error: because their error hath first vanity joined with pride.

ALthough God haue sowen the séed of religion in all men, yet few cherish it being conceiued in heart, & there is none at all in whom it rypeneth: so farre of is it, that anie fruite appeareth in due time, but there are two causes thereof, that is to say, ignorance and malice. As touching the first, it commeth of this, that manie are deceiued euen in their owne superstitions:¹ neither yet are they excuseable, that they fell into errour: because their errour hath firste vanitie ioyned with pride.

1. 1Rom. 1.2•.