A17662:214
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.
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:2 it is profitable that I go up to the Father, because the Father is greater. He giveth not unto himself only the second degree of Godhead to be as touching his eternal essence inferior to the Father, but because having obtained the heavenly glory, he gathereth together the faithful to the partaking of it. He setteth his Father in the higher degree, in so much as the glorious perfection of brightness that appeareth in heaven, differeth from that measure of glory that was seen in him being clothed with flesh. After like manner in an other place, Paul sayeth: that Christ shall yield up the kingdom to God and his Father,3 that God may be all in all. There is nothing more absurd than to take away eternal continuance from the Godhead of Christ. If he shall never cease to be the Son of God, but shall alway remain the same that he was from the beginning, it followeth that under the name of the Father is comprehended the one essence that is common to them both.