The Institution of Christian Religion

But he also setteth out himself by an other special mark, whereby §2he may be more nearly known. For he so declareth himself to be but one, that he yet giveth himself distinctly to be considered in three persons: which except we learn, a bare and empty name of god without any true God flieth in our brain. And that no man should think that he is a threefold God, or that the one essence of God is divided in three persons, we must here seek a short and easy definition to deliver us from all error. But because many do make much a do about this word Person, as a thing invented by man: how justly they do so, it is best first to see. The apostles naming the son, the engraved form of the Hypostasis of his father,¹ he undoubtedly meaneth, that the Father hath ⟨image 39⟩some being, wherein he differeth from the son. For to take it for Essence (as some expositors have done, as if Christ like a piece of wax printed with a seal did represent the substance of the Father) were not only hard but also an absurdity. For sith the Essence of God is single or one and undivisible, he that in him self containeth it all and not by piecemeal, or by derivation, but in whole perfection, should very unproperly yea fondly be called the engraved form of him. But because the father although he be in his own property distinct, hath expressed himself wholly in his son, it is for good cause said, that he hath given his Hypostasis, to be seen in him. Wherewith aptly agreeth that which by and by followeth, that he is the brightness of his glory. Surely by the Apostles words we gather▪ that there is a certain proper hypostasis in the father, that shineth in the son: whereby also again is easily perceived the Hypostasis of the son that distinguisheth him from the Father. Like order is in the holy ghost. for we shall by and by prove him to be God, and yet he must needs be other than the father. Yet this distinction is not of the essence, which it is unlawful to make manifold. Therefore if the Apostles testimony be credited, it followeth that there be in God three hypostases. This term seeing the Latins have expressed with the name of Person, it were to much pride and waywardness to brawl about so clear a matter. But if we list word for word to translate, we may call it Subsistence. Many in the same sense have called it substance.