The Institution of Christian Religion

But before that I go any further, it is good that I prove the Godhead §7of the Son and of the Holy ghost. Then after we shall see, how they differ one from an other. Surely when the Word of God is spoken of in the Scripture: it were a very great absurdity to imagine it only a fading and vanishing voice, which sent into the air, cometh out of God himself, of which sort were the oracles given to the fathers, and all the prophecies: when rather the word is meant to be the perpetual wisdom abiding with the Father, from whens all the oracles and prophecies proceeded. For as Peter testifieth, no less did the old prophets speak with the spirit of Christ,¹ than did the Apostles and all they that after them did distribute the heavenly doctrine. But because Christ was not yet openly showed, we must understand that the Word was before all worlds begotten of the Father. And if the Spirit was of the Word, whose instruments were the prophets, we do undoubtedly gather that he was true god. And this doth Moses teach plainly enough in the creation of the world, when he setteth the word as the mean. For why doth he expressly tell, that God in creating of all his works said, Be this done, or that done: but that the unsearchable glory of god may shiningly appear in his images? The suttlenosed and babbling men do easily mock out this, with saying that the name Word, is there taken for his bidding or commandment. But better expositors are the Apostles,² which teach that the worlds were made by the same, and that he sustaineth them all with his mighty Word. For here we see that the Word is taken for the bidding or commandment of the Son, which is himself the eternal and essential Word to the Father. And to the wise and sober it is not dark that Solomon saith,³ where he bringeth in Wisdom begotten of God before all worlds, and bearing rule in the creation of things, and in all the works of God. For to say that it was a certain commandment of God, serving but for a time, were very foolish and vain: where as in deed it was God's pleasure at that time to show forth his steadfast and eternal purpose, yea and some thing more secrete. To which entente also maketh that saying of Christ: My Father and I do work even to this day.