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…

56 The schoolmen therefore in these things have two ways been swallowed up from the right way: First because of the commandments touching not desire of revengement & loving of our enemies, they have taken counsel: posting over their necessary obedience, not to all Christians, but to Monks only.

56 The schoolemen therfore in these things haue two wayes bene swallowed vp from the right way: First because of the commaundements touching not desire of reuengement & louing of our enemies, they haue taken counsell: posting ouer their necessary obedience, not to all Christians, but to Monkes only.

57 It is showed by the Scriptures and the Fathers, that they are therefore to be blamed, in this name, and both do confute the reasons they allege (that ⟨p. 73⟩is) because they are too heavy & weighty: Moreover because it becometh not Christians which are under the law of grace, to be tied with so straight a bond. The Monks ascribe the place of Matthew, Love your enemies, &c. to themselves only: and so belike send all other Christians to the Gentiles and Publicans. For Christ saith, if they be friendly to your friends, &c.¹ So we shall be in good case no doubt, if the title of Christians be left unto us, and the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven taken from us. Augustine sayeth,² When the Lord forbiddeth to commit fornication, he no less forbiddeth to touch the wife of thine enemy, then of thy friend: When he forbiddeth theft, he giveth leave to steal nothing at all, either from thy friend or from thine enemies. But these two, not to steal, and not to commit fornication,³ Paul bringeth within the compass of the rule of Love, and teacheth that they are contained under this Commandment, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self.