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Institutes of the Christian Religion: Book first-Book second, chapter XI
Institutes of the Christian Religion Book first-Book second chapter XI Author:Jean Calvin Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: 8 INSTITUTES THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. BOOK FIRST. OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR. ARGUMENT. The First Book treats of the knowledge of God the... more » Creator. But as it is in the creation of man that the divine perfections are best displayed, so man also is made the subject of discourse. Thus the whole book divides itself into two principal heads—the former relating to the knowledge of God, and the latter to the knowledge of man. In the first chapter, these are considered jointly; and in each of the following chapters, separately: occasionally, however, intermingled with other matters which refer to one or other of the heads; e.g., the discnssions concerning Scripture and images, falling under the former head, and the other three concerning the creation of the world, the holy angels and devils, falling under the latter. The last point discussed, viz., the method of the divine government, relates to both. With regard to the former head, viz., the knowledge of God, it is shown, in the first place, what the kind of knowledge is which God requires, Chap.'.II. And, in the second place, (Chap. iII.—IX.,) where this knowledge must be sought, namely, not in man; because, although naturally implanted in the human mind, it is stifled, partly by ignorance, partly by evil intent, Chap. m. and IV.; not in the frame of the world: because, although it shines most clearly there, we are so stupid that these manifestations, however perspicuous, pass away without any beneficial result, Chap. V.; but in Scripture, (Chap. VI.,) which is treated of, Chap. VEI.—IX. In the third place, it is shown what the character of God is, Chap. X. In the fourth place, how impious it is to give a visible form to God, (here images, the worship of them, and its origin, are considered,) Chap. XI. In the f...« less