A69054:7
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…
The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reverend father, M. John Calvin, compendiously abridged by Edmond Bunny Bachelor of divinity; and translated into English by Edward MayThe institutions of Christian religion, written by the reuerend father, M. Iohn Caluin, compendiously abridged by Edmond Bunnie Bachellour of diuinitie; and translated into English by Edward May
London: printed for William Norton, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Of the knowledge of God the Creator.
The Argument.
Going about to speak of the knowledge of God, because in the creation of man the same chiefly doth appear, for that cause also doeth he treat of man in this Book: and so the special places which he handleth herein, are only two: the first whereof is the knowledge of God, the 2. the knowledge of man. In the first Chapter he speaketh of them both: and after particularly of either: yet so that in the mean time he toucheth certain other small things, all which notwithstanding may be referred to either of these: he treateth also of the scripture, of Images, to the knowledge of God: the other three of the making of the world, of Angels, and Devils, to the knowledge of man. The last of all, of the means whereby God governeth the world, pertaineth to both. As touching the knowledge of God, he showeth first what knowledge it is that he requireth. Cap. 2. Secondly where it is to be sought for, from the 3. to the 9. truly not in man, because (although naturally it be settled in mans mind, yet partly of ignorance, partly of malice, it is choked, the 3. & the 4. ⟨image 5⟩nor in the making of the world, because, although therein most clearly it appear, yet we are so blockish, that such testimonies being never so clear, do always float away from us without profit. 5. but in the scripture, 6. and so being carried to the Scriptures, he prosecuteth his treatise. 7. 8. 9. thirdly, what God is. 10. fourthly, how wicked it is to attribute to God a visible form: where also he speaketh of Images, of the adoration of them and their beginnings. 11. fifthly, he endeavoureth to prove that it is meet that God only be wholly worshipped. 12. Last of all, he speaketh of the unity of God, and the distinction of persons. Cap. 13. As concerning the other, that is, the knowledge of man: first he speaketh of the creation of the world, of Angels, of Devils, that all these were created for mans sake. 14. then coming to man him self, he examineth his nature & strength 15. but that both, that is to say, the knowledge of God and of our selves, may better appear, he descendeth against fortune and destiny, to the government of all humane actions: and of the whole world. 16. 18.