The Institution of Christian Religion

Yea and the same Hilary himself layeth it for a great fault to the heretics charge, that by their waywardness he is compelled, to put those things in peril of the speech of men, which ought to have been kept in the religiousness of minds, plainly confessing that this is to do things unlawful, to speak that ought not to be spoken, to attempt things not licensed. A little after, he excuseth himself with many words, for that he was so bold to utter new names. For after he had used the natural names Father, Son, and Holy ghost, he addeth that what soever is sought further, is beyond the compass of speech, beyond the reach of sense, and beyond the capacity of understanding. And in an other place he saith, the happy are ye bishops of Gallia, which neither had nor received ⟨p. 32⟩nor knew any other confession, but that old and simple one, which from the time of the Apostles was received in all churches. And much like is the excuse of Augustine, that this word was wrung out of necessity by reason of the imperfection of mens language in so great a matter: not to express that which is, but that it should not be unspoken how the Father, the Son, and the Holy ghost are three. This modesty of the holy men ought to warn us, that we do not forthwith so severely like Censors, note them with infamy that refuse to subscribe and swear to such words as we propound them: so that they do it not of pride, of frowardness, or of malicious craft. But let them again consider, by how great necessity we are driven to speak so, that by little & little they may be inured with that profitable manner of speech. Let them also learn to beware, least sith we must mete on the one side with the Arians, on the other side with Sabellians, while they be offended that we cut of occasion from them both to cavil, they bring themselves in suspicion, that they be the disciples either of Arrius or of Sabellius. Arrius saith that Christ is God, but he muttereth that he was create, and had a beginning. He saith Christ is one with the father, but secretly he whispereth in the ears of his disciples, that he was made one as the other faithful be, although by singular prerogative.

Yea and the same Hilarie hymselfe layethe it for a greate faulte to the heretikes charge, that by theyr waywardnesse he is compelled, to putte those thynges in perylle of the speche of men, whyche oughte to haue beene kepte in the relygiousnesse of myndes, playnely confessynge that this is to doo thynges vnlaufull, to speake that ought not to bee spoken, to attempt thynges not licenced. A little after, he excuseth himself wt many words, for that he was so bold to vtter newe names. For after he had vsed the natural names Father, Sonne, and Holy ghost, he addeth that what soeuer is sought further, is beyōd the compasse of speache, beyonde the reache of sense, and beyonde the capacitie of vnderstandynge. And in an other place he saith, ye happy ar ye bishops of Gallia, which neither had nor receiued