John Calvin.
Institutes of the Christian Religion.
Book Second.
Of the knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as first manifested
to the fathers, under the law, and thereafter to us under the
gospel.
Table of Contents
Subject.
Book Second.
1. Through the fall and revolt of Adam, the whole human race made
accursed and degenerate. Of original sin.
2. Man now deprived of freedom of will, and miserably enslaved.
3. Every thing proceeding from the corrupt nature of man damnable.
4. How God works in the hearts of men.
5. The arguments usually alleged in support of free will refuted.
6. Redemption for man lost to be sought in Christ.
7. The law given, not to retain a people for itself, but to keep
alive the hope of salvation in Christ until His advent.
8. Exposition of the Moral Law.
9. Christ, though known to the Jews under the law, yet only
manifested under the gospel.
10. The resemblance between tee Old Testament and the New.
11. The difference between the two Testaments.
12. Christ, to perform the office of Mediator, behoved to become
Man.
13. Christ clothed with the true substance of human nature.
14. How two natures constitute the Person of the Mediator.
15. Three things briefly to be regarded in Christ; viz., His Offices
of prophet, king, and priest.
16. How Christ performed the office of Redeemer in procuring our
salvation. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
17. Christ rightly and properly said to have merited grace and
salvation for us.
Subject.
The First Part of the Apostles' Creed, viz., the knowledge of
God the Creator, being disposed of, we now come to the Second Part,
which relates to the knowledge of God as a Redeemer in Christ. The
subjects treated of accordingly are, first, the Occasion of
Redemption, viz., Adam's fall; and, secondly, Redemption itself. The
first five chapters are devoted to the former subject, and the
remainder to the latter.
Under the Occasion of Redemption, the Fall is considered not
only in a general way, but also specially in its effects. Hence the
first four chapters treat of original sin, free will, the corruption
of human nature, and the operation of God in the heart. The fifth
chapter contains a refutation of the arguments usually urged in
support of free will.
The subject of redemption may be reduced to five particular
heads:
I. The character of him in whom salvation for lost man must
be sought, Chap. VI.
II. How he was manifested to the world, namely, in a twofold
manner. First, under the Law. Here the Decalogue is
expounded, and some other points relating to the law
discussed, Chap. VII. and VIII. Secondly, under the Gospel.
Here the resemblance and difference of the two
dispensations are considered, Chap. IX. X. XI.
III. What kind of person Christ was, and behaved to be, in
order to perform the office of Mediator, viz., God and man
in one person, Chap. XII. XIII. XIV.
IV. For what end he was sent into the world by the Father. Here
Christ's prophetical, kingly, and priestly offices are
considered, Chap. XV.
V. In what way, or by what successive steps, Christ fulfilled
the office of our Redeemer, Chap. XVI. Here are considered
his crucifixion, death, burial, descent to hell,
resurrection, ascension to heaven, and seat at the right hand
of the Father, together with the practical use of the whole
doctrine. Chapter XVII. contains an answer to the question,
Whether Christ is properly said to have merited the grace of
God for us.
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol. 2, Pt.1
(continued in part 2...)
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