Page:Institutes of the Christian Religion Vol 1.djvu/25

Rh The text is printed in Italic character, and commences on the 42d page, forming the reverse of the 41st.

The first chapter, entitled "De Lege, quod Decalogi Explicationem continet," commences as follows:"—

"Summa fere sacræ doctrinse duabus his partibus constat, cognitione Dei ac nostri. Hasc vero de Deo nobis in praasentia discenda sunt. Primum, ut certa fide constitutum habeamus, ipsum infinitam esse sapientiam, justitiam, bonitatem, misericordiam, veritatem, virtutem, ac vitam: ut nulla sit prorsus alia sapientia, justitia, bonitas, veritas, virtus, et vita."

After a brief description of The Knowledge of God, under three additional heads, the effect of Original Sin is shortly explained. Of Adam's first condition it is said, " Parentem omnium nostrum Adam esse creatum ad imaginem et similitudinem Dei, hoc est, sapientia, justitia, sanctitate præditum; atque his gratia? donis Deo ita hasrentem ut perpetuo in eo victurus fuerit, si in hac integritate naturæ, quam a Deo acceperat, stetisset."—(P. 43.) The Fall, and its effects on Adam himself, being then shortly described, it is added, " Quæ calamitas non in ipsum tantum cecidit, sed in nos quoque defluxit, qui semen ejus sumus ac posteritas. Ergo quicunque in Adam nascimur, omnes Dei ignorantes sumus et expertes, perversi, corrupti, omnisque boni inopes."—(P. 44.)

Notwithstanding of this depravity, our obligation to serve God remains entire, and failure in it is without excuse:

"Quanquam enim sic nati sumus, ut non sit in nobis situm quicquam agere, quod Deo acceptum esse possit; nee sit in nostra virtute positum illi gratificari; non tamen desinimus idipsum debere, quod præstare non possumus: quando enim