Institutes 3.10.4 — HOW TO USE THE PRESENT LIFE, AND THE COMFORTS OF IT.

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**HOW TO USE THE PRESENT LIFE, AND THE COMFORTS OF IT.**

There is no surer or quicker way of accomplishing this than by despising the present life and aspiring to celestial immortality. For hence two rules arise: First, “it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;” “and they that use this world, as not abusing it,” ( 1 Cor. 7:29 , 31 ). Secondly, we must learn to be no less placid and patient in enduring penury, than moderate in enjoying abundance. He who makes it his rule to use this world as if he used it not, not only cuts off all gluttony in regard to meat and drink, and all effeminacy, ambition, pride, excessive shows and austerity, in regard to his table, his house, and his clothes, but removes every care and affection which might withdraw or hinder him from aspiring to the heavenly life, and cultivating the interest of his soul. French, “Parer notre ame de ses vrais ornemens;”—deck our soul with its true ornaments.

Source

• source-manifest/institutes — Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, tr. Beveridge 1845 (PD)
• evidence_grade: D_doctrinal_textbook