The Institution of Christian Religion

Wherefore out of the same fountains we must fetch our mean of proving to confirm the Godhead of the Holy ghost.¹ Very plain is the testimony of Moses in the history of the creation, that the spirit of God was upon the depths, or upon the unfashioned heap: because he showeth that not only the beauty of the world that is now to be seen is preserved by the power of the Spirit, but ere this beauty was added, the Spirit was then busied in preserving that confused lump of things.² And that saying of Isaiah cannot be cavilled against. And now Jehovah and his Spirit hath sent me. For he communicateth with the Holy ghost his chief power in sending of Prophets. Whereby appeareth the divine majesty of the Holy ghost. But our best proof, as I have said, shall be by familiar use. For that which the Scriptures impute unto it, is far from the property of creatures, and such a thing as we our selves do learn by assured experience of godliness. For he it is that being each where poured abroad, doeth sustain and giveth growing and life to all things in heaven and in earth. And by this point he is proved to be none of the number of creatures, for that he is not comprehended within any bounds: but by pouring his lively force into all things to breath into them life and motion, this is the very work of God. Moreover if regeneration into an incorruptible life be better and more excellent than any present quickening: what shall we judge of him from whose power the same proceedeth? And that he is the author of regeneration, not by a borrowed, but by his own force, the Scripture in many places teacheth: and not of that only, but also of the immortality to come. Finally, as unto the Son, so unto him also are applied all those offices that are most of all properly belonging to the Godhead.³ For he searcheth the deep secretes of God, wherewith none of all the creatures is of counsel. He giveth wisdom and skill to speak, whereas yet the Lord pronounceth to Moses that it is only his work to do it. So by him we come to a partaking of God, so that we may feel his power as it were working life in us. Our justification is his work. From him is power, sanctification, trueth, grace, and what good thing soever may be thought of, because it is the Holy ghost only from whom proceedeth all kind of gifts.