A17662:213
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.
For they that will have these three to mete, the essence, the Son and the Holy ghost, it is plain that they do destroy the essence of the Son and the Holy ghost, for ells the parts joined together would fall in sunder, which is a fault in every distinction. Finally if the Father and the Son were Synonyms or several names signifying one thing, so the Father should be the Godmaker and nothing should remain in the Son but a shadow, and the Trinity should be nothing ells, but the joining of one God with two creatures.
For they that will haue these three to mete, the essence, the Sonne and the Holy ghoste, it is playne that they dooe destroye the essence of the Sonne and the Holy ghoste, for ells the partes ioyned together would fall in sonder, whiche is a fault in euery distinction. Finally if the Father and the Sonne were Synonymes or seuerall names signifying one thyng, so the Father shoulde be the Godmaker and nothyng shoulde remayne in the Sonne but a shadowe, and the Trinitie should be nothyng ells, but the ioyning of one God with two creatures.
Where as they object, that if Christ be properly God, he is §26not rightfully called the Son, to that we have already answered, that because in such places there is a comparison made of the one Person to the other, the name of God is not there indefinitely taken, but restrained to the Father only, in so much as he is the beginning of the Godhead, not in making of essence as the mad men do fondly imagine, but in respect of ⟨p. 42⟩order. In this meaning is construed that saying of Christ to the Father: this is the eternal life, that men believe in the the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.1 For speaking in the Person of the Mediator, he keepeth the degree that is mean between God and men: and yet is not his majesty thereby diminished. For though he abased himself, yet he left not with the Father his glory that was hidden before the world. So the Apostle in the second Chapter to the Hebrews, though he confesseth that Christ for a short time was abased beneath the Angels, yet he sticketh not to affirm withal, that he is the same eternal God that founded the earth. We must therefore hold, that so oft as Christ in the Person of the Mediator speaketh to the Father, under this name of God is comprehended the Godhead which is his also. So when he said to the Apostles: