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…

2 And that the proof may be more strong, he expoundeth every part of that place, and bringeth it to his purpose. Where he nameth Elect, he meaneth the Faithful:¹ when he saith, that they were elected before the beginning of the world, he putteth away all respect of worthiness. Now if we be elect in Christ, it followeth, that not only every man is severed without himself: but also one of them from another, forasmuch as we are not all the members of Christ, that which is added; that they were elect, that they might be holy; confuteth the rerour that deriveth Election from Foreknowledge, forasmuch as Paul affirmeth that whatsoever virtue appeareth in ⟨p. 180⟩men, it is the effect of election. Now if further cause be sought: Paul saith that God hath so predestinate, yea and that according to the good pleasure of his will, where he overthroweth whatsoever means of their election men do imagine in them selves, for he teacheth that whatsoever things GOD giveth toward Spiritual life, they flow out of this one Fountain, because God hath chosen whom he would, and ere they were borne, he had severally laid up for them, the grace which he vouchsafed to give them.

2 And that the proofe may bée more strong, hée expoundeth euery parte of that place, and bringeth it to his purpose. Where hée nameth Elect, he meaneth the Faithful:¹ when hée sayth, that they were elected before the beginning of the worlde, hée putteth away all respect of worthinesse. Nowe if wée bée elect in Christ, it followeth, that not only euery man is seuered without himselfe: but also one of them from another, forasmuch as wée are not all the members of Christ, that which is added; that they were elect, that they might bée holy; confuteth the rerour that deriueth Election from Foreknowledge, forasmuche as Paule affirmeth that whatsoeuer vertue appeareth in ⟨p. 180⟩men, it is the effect of election. Nowe if further cause bee sought: Paul saith that God hath so predestinate, yea and that according to the good pleasure of his will, where he ouerthroweth whatsoeuer meanes of their election men do imagine in them selues, for hée teacheth that whatsoeuer things GOD geueth towarde Spirituall lyfe, they flowe out of this one Fountaine, because God hath chosen whō he would, and ere they were borne, hée had seuerally laid vp for them, the grace which hée vouchsafed to geue them.