The Institution of Christian Religion

But where this name is peculiarly given to the Son, we shall see that there is an other reason thereof, when we come to a place fit for it. Now it is enough to have in mind, when Paul had absolutely ⟨image 47⟩prayed to God, he by and by bringeth in the name of Christ. Even so is the whole God called by Christ himself the Spirit. For there is no cause against it, but that the whole essence of God may be spiritual, wherein the Father, the Son, and the Holy ghost be comprehended. Which is very plain by the Scripture. For even as there we hear God to be made a Spirit: so we do here the Holy ghost, for so much as it is an Hypostasis of the whole essence, to be called both God, and proceeding from God.

But where this name is peculiarly geuen to the Sonne, we shall se that there is an other reason therof, when we com to a place fitte for it. Nowe it is enough to haue in mynde, when Paule had absolutely ⟨image 47⟩praied to God, he by and by bryngeth in the name of Christ. Euen so is the whole God called by Christ hymselfe the Spirite. For there is no cause agaynst it, but that the whole essence of God may bee spirituall, wherin the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy ghoste be comprehended. Whiche is very playne by the Scripture. For euen as there we heare God to be made a Spirite: so we do here the Holy ghost, for so muche as it is an Hypostasis of the whole essence, to bee called bothe God, and procedyng from God.

But for as much as Satan, to the end to root out our Faith, hath alway moved great contentions, partly concerning the divine essence of the Son, and of the Holy ghost, and partly concerning their distinction of Persons. And as in a manner in all ages he hath stirred up wicked spirits to trouble the true teachers in this behalf: so at this day he travaileth out of the old embers to kindle a new fire: therefore here it is good to answer the perverse foolish errors of some. Hitherto it hath ben our purpose, to lead as it were by the hand those that are willing to learn, and not to strive hand to hand with the obstinate and contentious. But now the truth which we have already peaceably showed, must be rescued from the cavillations of the wicked. All be it my chief travail shall yet be applied to this end, that they which give gentle and open ears to the word of God, may have whereupon steadfastly to rest their foot. In this point, if any where at all in the secrete mysteries of Scripture, we ought to dispute soberly, and with great moderation, and to take great heed that neither our thought nor our tongue proceed any further than the bounds of God's word do extend. For how may the mind of man by his capacity define the immeasurable essence of God, which never yet could certainly determine how great is the body of the Son, which yet he daily seeth with his eyes? yea how may she by her own guiding attain to discuss the substance of God, that can not reach to know her own substance? Wherefore let us willingly give over unto God the knowledge of him self.