Primary Source

Institutes of the Christian Religion

Name: Institutes of the Christian Religion
Author: John Calvin

John Calvin 1845

Calvin's magnum opus systematizing Christian doctrine through creation, redemption, sanctification, and the Church's role in salvation history.

Translated by Henry Beveridge (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845). Prefatory matter through Book III ch. 5 from the Eerdmans photographic reprint of that edition; Book III ch. 6-25 and Book IV from the 1845 printing, vols. 2-3 (archive.org: institutesofreli02calvuoft, institutesofthec03calvuoft).

From the text

The opening of the work as printed, in the spelling of this edition.

SUBJECT OF THE PEESENT WORK. [PREFIXED TO THE FRENCH EDITION, PUBLISHED AT GENEVA IN 1545.] IN order that my readers may be the better able to profit by the present work, I am desirous briefly to point out the advantage which they may derive from it. For by so doing I will show them the end at which they ought to aim, and to which they ought to give their attention in reading it. Although the Holy Scriptures contain a perfect doctrine, to which nothing can be added—our Lord having been pleased therein to unfold the infinite treasures of his wisdom—still every person, not intimately acquainted with them, stands in need of some guidance and direction, as to what he ought to look for in them, that he may not wander up and down, but pursue a certain path, and so attain the end to which the Holy Spirit invites him. Hence it is the duty of those who have received from God more light than others to assist the simple in this matter, and, as it were, lend them their hand to guide and assist them in finding the sum of what G-od has been pleased to teach us in his word.

God more light than others to assist the simple in this matter, and, as it were, lend them their hand to guide and assist them in finding the sum of what G-od has been pleased to teach us in his word. Now, this cannot be better done in writing than by treating in succession of the principal matters which are comprised in Christian philosophy. For he who understands these will be prepared to make more progress in the school of God in one day than any other person in three months, inasmuch as he, in a great measure, knows to what he should refer each sentence, and has a rule by which to test whatever is presented to him. Seeing, then, how necessary it was in this manner to aid those who desire to be instructed in the doctrine of salvation, I have endeavoured, according to the ability which God has given me, to employ myself in so doing, and with this view have composed the present book.

e to be instructed in the doctrine of salvation, I have endeavoured, according to the ability which God has given me, to employ myself in so doing, and with this view have composed the present book. And first I wrote it in Latin, that it might be serviceable to all studious persons, of what nation soever they might be; afterwards, desiring to communicate any fruit which might be in it to my French countrymen, I translated it into our own tongue. I dare not bear too strong a testimony in its favour, and declare how profitable the reading of it will be, lest I should seem to prize my own work too highly. However, I may promise this much, that it will be a kind of key opening up to all the children of God a right and ready access to the understanding of the sacred volume. Wherefore, should our Lord give me henceforth means and opportunity of com-posing some Commentaries, I will use the greatest possible brevity, as there will be no occasion to make long digressions, seeing that I have in a manner deduced at length all the articles which pertain to Christianity. And since we are bound to acknowledge that all truth and sound doctrine proceed from G-od, I will venture boldly to declare what I think of this work, acknowledging it to be God's work rather than mine. To him, indeed, the praise due to it must be ascribed.

sound doctrine proceed from G-od, I will venture boldly to declare what I think of this work, acknowledging it to be God's work rather than mine. To him, indeed, the praise due to it must be ascribed. My opinion of the work then is this: I exhort all who reverence the word of the Lord, to read it, and diligently imprint it on their memory, if they would, in the first place, have a summary of Christian doctrine, and, 'n the second place, an introduction to the profitable reading both of the Old and New Testament. When they shall have done so, they will know by experience that I have not wished to impose upon them with words. Should any one be unable to comprehend all that is contained in it, he must not, however, give it up in despair; but continue always to read on, hoping that one passage will give him a more familiar exposition of another. Above all things, I would recommend that recourse be had to Scripture in considering the proofs which I adduce from it.

will give him a more familiar exposition of another. Above all things, I would recommend that recourse be had to Scripture in considering the proofs which I adduce from it.

EPISTLE TO THE KEADEB. [PREFIXED TO THE LAST EDITION, REVISED BY THE ACTHOR.] IK the first edition of this work, having not the least expectation of the success which God, in his boundless goodness, has been pleased to give it, I had, for the greater part, performed my task in a perfunctory manner (as is usual in trivial undertakings) ; but when I understood that it had been received, by almost all the pious, with a favour which I had never dared to ask, far less to hope for, the more I was sincerely conscious that the reception was beyond my deserts, the greater I thought my gratitude would be, if, to the very kind wishes which had been expressed towards me, and which seemed of their own accord to invite me to diligence, I did not endeavour to respond, at least according to my humble ability. This I attempted not only in the second edition, but in every subsequent one the work has received some improvement. But though I do not regret the labour previously expended, I never felt satisfied until the work was arranged in the order in which it now appears.

Keep reading

Full text search, AI synthesis across 1,234 Reformed primary sources, and seamless reading — all in one place.

Start Free Trial to Read

Prefatory Address to Francis I, King of France
Epistle to the Reader (second edition, 1539)
Subject of the Present Work (French edition, 1545)
Epistle to the Reader (final edition, 1559)
Method and Arrangement (from Olevian's Epitome)
General Index of Chapters
Argument
The knowledge of God and of ourselves mutually connected. Nature of the connection
What it is to know God. Tendency of this knowledge
The knowledge of God naturally implanted in the human mind
The knowledge of God stifled or corrupted, ignorantly or maliciously
The knowledge of God conspicuous in the creation and continual government of the world
The need of Scripture, as a guide and teacher, in coming to God as a Creator
The testimony of the Spirit necessary to give full authority to Scripture. The impiety of pretending that the credibility of Scripture depends on the judgment of the Church
The credibility of Scripture sufficiently proved, in so far as natural reason admits
All the principles of piety subverted by fanatics, who substitute revelations for Scripture
In Scripture, the true God opposed, exclusively, to all the gods of the heathen
Impiety of attributing a visible form to God. The setting up of idols a defection from the true God
God distinguished from idols, that he may be the exclusive object of worship
The unity of the divine essence in three persons taught, in Scripture, from the foundation of the world
In the creation of the world, and all things in it, the true God distinguished by certain marks from fictitious gods
State in which man was created. The faculties of the soul, the image of God, free will, original righteousness
The world, created by God, still cherished and protected by him. Each and all of its parts governed by his providence
Use to be made of the doctrine of providence
The instrumentality of the wicked employed by God, while he continues free from every taint
Argument
Through the fall and revolt of Adam, the whole human race made accursed and degenerate. Of original sin
Man now deprived of freedom of will, and miserably enslaved
Every thing proceeding from the corrupt nature of man damnable
How God works in the hearts of men
The arguments usually alleged in support of free will refuted
Redemption for man lost to be sought in Christ
The law given, not to retain a people for itself, but to keep alive the hope of salvation in Christ until his advent
Exposition of the moral law
Christ, though known to the Jews under the law, yet only manifested under the gospel
The resemblance between the Old Testament and the New
The difference between the two Testaments
Christ, to perform the office of Mediator, behoved to become man
Christ clothed with the true substance of human nature
How two natures constitute the person of the Mediator
Three things chiefly to be regarded in Christ; viz., his offices of Prophet, King, and Priest
How Christ performed the office of Redeemer in procuring our salvation. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ
Christ rightly and properly said to have merited grace and salvation for us
Argument
The benefits of Christ made available to us by the secret operation of the Spirit
Of faith. The definition of it. Its peculiar properties
Regeneration by faith. Of repentance
Penitence, as explained in the sophistical jargon of the schoolmen, widely different from the purity required by the gospel. Of confession and satisfaction
Of the modes of supplementing satisfaction, viz., indulgences and purgatory
The life of a Christian man. Scriptural arguments exhorting to it
A summary of the Christian life. Of self-denial
Of bearing the cross, one branch of self-denial
Of meditating on the future life
How to use the present life, and the comforts of it
Of justification by faith. Both the name and the reality defined
Necessity of contemplating the judgment-seat of God, in order to be seriously convinced of the doctrine of gratuitous justification
Two things to be observed in gratuitous justification
The beginning of justification. In what sense progressive
The boasted merit of works subversive both of the glory of God, in bestowing righteousness, and of the certainty of salvation
Refutation of the calumnies by which it is attempted to throw odium on this doctrine
The promises of the law and the gospel reconciled
The righteousness of works improperly inferred from rewards
Of Christian liberty
Of prayer, a perpetual exercise of faith. The daily benefits derived from it
Of the eternal election, by which God has predestinated some to salvation, and others to destruction
This doctrine confirmed by proofs from Scripture
Refutation of the calumnies by which this doctrine is always unjustly assailed
Election confirmed by the calling of God. The reprobate bring upon themselves the righteous destruction to which they are doomed
Of the last resurrection
Argument
Of the true Church. Duty of cultivating unity with her, as the mother of all the godly
Comparison between the false church and the true
Of the teachers and ministers of the Church. Their election and office
Of the state of the primitive Church, and the mode of government in use before the papacy
The ancient form of government utterly corrupted by the tyranny of the papacy
Of the primacy of the Romish see
Of the beginning and rise of the Romish papacy, till it attained a height by which the liberty of the Church was destroyed, and all true rule overthrown
Of the power of the Church in articles of faith. The unbridled license of the papal Church in destroying purity of doctrine
Of councils and their authority
Of the power of making laws. The cruelty of the Pope and his adherents, in this respect, in tyrannically oppressing and destroying souls
Of the jurisdiction of the Church, and the abuses of it, as exemplified in the papacy
Of the discipline of the Church, and its principal use in censures and excommunication
Of vows. The miserable entanglements caused by vowing rashly
Of the sacraments
Of baptism
Paedobaptism. Its accordance with the institution of Christ, and the nature of the sign
Of the Lord's Supper, and the benefits conferred by it
Of the popish mass. How it not only profanes, but annihilates the Lord's Supper
Of the five sacraments, falsely so called. Their spuriousness proved, and their true character explained
Of civil government