A17662:208
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.
They which say that mark of difference to be in the essence, do manifestly bring the true godhead of Christ to nothing, which can not be without essence, yea and that the whole essence. The Father differeth not from the Son, unless he have something proper to himself that is not common to the Sonne. What now will they find wherein to make him different? If the difference be in the essence, let them answer if he have not communicated the same to the Sonne. But that could not be in part, for to say that he made half a God were wicked. Beside that by this mean they do foully tear in sunder the essence of God. It remaineth therefore that the essence is whole, and perfectly common to the Father and the Sonne. And if that be true, then as touching the essence there is no difference of the one of them from the other. If they say that the Father in ⟨image 49⟩giving his essence, remaineth nevertheless the only God, with whom the essence abideth: then Christ shall be a figurative God, and a God only in show & in name but not in deed: because nothing is more proper to God than to be,1 according to this saying: He that is, hath sent me unto you.
They which say that marke of difference to be in the essence, doo manifestly bring the true godhead of Christe to nothynge, whiche can not be without essence, yea and that the whole essence. The Father differeth not from the Sonne, vnlesse he haue somethyng propre to hymselfe that is not common to the Sonne. What nowe will they fynde wherin to make him different? If the difference be in the essence, let them answere if he haue not communicated the same to the Sonne. But that could not be in part, for to say that he made halfe a God were wycked. Beside that by this meane they doo fowly teare in sunder the essence of God. It remaineth therefore that the essence is whole, and perfectly common to the Father and the Sonne. And if that bee true, then as touchyng the essence there is no difference of the one of them from the other. If they say yt the Father in ⟨image 49⟩geuyng his essence, remaineth neuerthelesse the only God, with whom the essence abideth: then Christ shalbe a figuratiue God, and a God only in shew & in name but not in deede: because nothyng is more propre to God than to bee,