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. 18. That by reward, the righteousness of works is ill gathered.

Cap. 18. That by rewarde, the righteousnesse of workes is ill gathered.

Those sayings, which affirm that God doth render to every one according ⟨image 169⟩to their works, do rather show the order and consequence, then the cause,¹ but it is out of doubt that God doth accomplish our salvation by these degrees of his mercy, when those whom he hath chosen, he calleth to him; those whom he hath called,² he justifieth; those whom he hath justified, he glorifieth. Although he do by his only mercy receive them that be his, into life: yet because he bringeth them into possession thereof, by the race of good works,³ that he may fulfil his works in them, by such order, as he hath appointed: it is no marvel if it be said that they be crowned according to their works, by which they are prepared to receive the crown of immortality.

THose sayings, which affirme that God doth render to euery one according ⟨image 169⟩to their workes, doe rather shewe the order and consequence, then the cause,¹ but it is out of doubt that God doth accomplish our saluation by these degrées of his mercy, when those whō hee hath chosen, he calleth to him; those whom he hath called,² he iustifieth; those whom he hath iustified, hée glorifieth. Although hée doe by his onely mercy receaue them that be his, into life: yet because he bringeth them into possession thereof, by the race of good workes,