A17662:177
The Institution of Christian Religion
The institution of Christian religion, written in Latin by master John Calvin, and translated into English according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctionsThe institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions
London: printed by Reinolde Wolfe & Richard Harison, 1561London: printed by Reinolde VVolfe & Richarde Harison, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Say ones that Christ is Consubstantial with his father, then pluck you of his visor from the dissembler, and yet you add nothing to the scripture, Sabellius saith, that the several names, Father, Son, and Holy ghost signify nothing in God severally distinct: say that they are three: and he will cry out that you name three gods. Say that there is in one essence a Trinity of persons, then shall you in one word both say, what the scripture speaketh, and stop their vain babbling. Now if any be holden with so curious superstition, that they can not abide these names: yet is there no man, though he would never so fain, that can deny but that when we hear of one, we must understand an unity of substance: when we here of three in one essence, that it is meant of the persons in the trinity. Which thing being without fraud confessed, we stay no longer upon words. But I have long ago found, and that often, that who soever do obstinately quarrel about words, do keep within them a secrete poison: so that it is better willingly to provoke them, than for their pleasure to speak darkly.
Say ones that Christ is Consubstanciall with his father, then plucke you of his visour from the dissembler, and yet you adde nothyng to the scripture, Sabellius sayth, that the seueral names, Father, Son, and Holy ghost signifie nothyng in God seuerally distincte: saye that they are three: and he will crye out that you name thre gods. Saye that there is in one essence a Trinitie of persons, then shal you in one word bothe saye, what the scripture speaketh, and stop their vayne babblyng. Nowe if any be holden with so curious superstition, that they can not abide these names: yet is there no man, though he wold neuer so fayn, that can deny but that when we heare of one, we must vnderstande an vnitie of substance: when we here of thre in one essence, that it is ment of the persons in the trinitie. Which thyng beyng without fraude confessed, we stay no longer vpon wordes. But I haue long ago foūd, and that often, that who soeuer do obstinately quarell about woordes, doo keepe within them a secrete poison: so that it is better willyngly to prouoke theim, than for their pleasure to speake darkly.