These investigations into the epistemological background of Calvin's thought in the mediaeval Franciscan (and British) tradition, and in the Renaissance tradition in linguistic and legal research, are designed to place understanding of Calvin squarely within the milieu of his formative years in various Universities in France. At the same time they have to do with the shaping of the mind which Calvin brought to his preaching of the Gospel, exposition of the Scriptures and instruction in theology. The investigations help to throw light upon his distinctive way of integrating scholarly exegesis with theological inquiry which became such an outstanding feature of his most famous works Institute of the Christian Religion and the Commentaries on the Books of the Old and New Testaments.