A17662:206
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.
Out of this sink came forth an other like monster. For certain §23lewd men meaning to escape the hatred and shame of the wickedness of Seruetto, have in deed confessed, that there are three Persons, but adding a manner how: that the Father which truly and properly is the one only God, in forming the Son and the Holy ghost, hath poured his godhead into them. Yea they forbear not this horrible manner of speech, that the Father is by this mark distinguished from the Son and the Holy ghost, that he is the only essentiatour or maker of the essence. First they pretend this colour, that Christ is eachwhere called the Son of God: where of they gather, that there is none other properly God but the Father. But they mark not, that though the name of God be also common to the Son, yet by reason of preeminence it is sometime given to the Father only, because he is the fountain and original of the Deity, and that for this purpose, to make the single unity of the essence to be thereby noted. They take exception and say: If he be truly the Son of God, it is inconvenient to have him reckoned the Son of a Person. I answer that both are true: that is, that he is the Son of God, because he is the Word begotten of the Father before all worlds (for we come not yet to speak of the Person of the Mediator) and yet for explications sake we ought to have regard of the Person, that the name of God simply be not taken, but for the Father only. For if we mean none to be God but the Father, we plainly throw down the Son from the degree of God.1 Therefore so oft as mention is made of the godhead, we must not admit a comparison between the Son and the Father, as though the name of God did belong only to the Father. For truly the God that appeared to Isaiah was the true and only God, and yet John affirmeth that the same was Christ. And he that by the mouth of Isaiah testified, that he should be a stumbling stone to the Jews, was the only God: and yet Paul pronounceth that the same was Christ. He that ⟨p. 40⟩trieth out by Isaiah, I live, and to me all knees shall bow, is the only God:2 and yet Paul expoundeth that the same was Christ. For this purpose serve the testimonies that the Apostle reciteth: Thou O God haste laid the foundations of heaven and earth.