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…

4 If against this answer they arise as they are wont, striving that it is unmeet that they should dye in this their corruption, seeing they are predestinate by the ordinance of God to the same corruption, which is now alleged for the cause of damnation, he showeth how it may be answered out of the place of Paul,¹ that the reason of Gods righteousness is higher then that it is either to be measured by the measure of man, or comprehended by the slender capacity of mans wit.

4 If against this answere they aryse as they are wont, striuing that it is vnméete that they should dye in this their corruption, séeing they are predestinate by the ordinance of God to the same corruption, which is nowe alledged for the cause of damnation, he sheweth how it may bée aunsweared out of the place of Paule,¹ that the reason of Gods righteousnes is higher then that it is either to be measured by the measure of man, or comprehended by the slender capacitie of mans witte.

1. 1Rom. 9.20. Pro. 21.10. 1. Tim. 5.22.

5 This same he confirmeth by Augustine's authority, & setteth it out with an excellent confirmation: Augustine sayeth, Thou being a man, seekest an answer at my hand: and I also am a man: therefore let us hear him that sayeth, O man what art thou? Better is a faithful ignorance, then rash knowledge. ⟨image 190⟩Seek merits: thou shalt find nothing but pain. O depth, Peter denieth, the thief believeth: O depth, seekest thou a reason? I will tremble at the depth. Reason thou, I will wonder: Dispute thou, I will believe. I see depth, but I reach not the bottom. Paul rested, because he found wondering. He calleth the judgements of God unsearchable: and art thou come to search them? He sayeth that his ways are impossible to be traced out: & doest thou trace them? With proceeding further, we shall nothing profit, &c.