The Institution of Christian Religion

Which principle being established,¹ Osianders imagination of the shape of our body doth easily vanish away of it self. Where as the man alone is in Paul called the Image and glory of God, and the woman is excluded from that degree of honour, it appeareth by the rest of the text, that the same is to be applied only to civil order of policy. But that under the name of image,² whereof we speak, is comprehended all that belongeth to the spiritual and eternal life, I think it be already sufficiently proved. And the same thing doeth John confirm in other words: saying that the light which was from the beginning in the eternal word of God was the light of men. For where his purpose was to praise the singular grace of God, whereby man excelleth all other living creatures to sever him from the common •orte, because he hath attained no common life, but joined with the light of understanding, he therewithal showeth how he was made after the image of God. Therefore sith the image of God is the uncorrupted excellence of the nature of man, which shined in Adam before his fall, and afterward was so corrupted and almost defaced, that nothing remaineth sins that ruin, but disordered, mangled, and filthily spotted: yet the same doth in some part appear in the elect, insomuch as they are regenerate, and shall obtain her full brightness in heaven. But that we may know on what parts it consisteth, it shall be good to entreat of the powers of the soul. For that speculative devise of Augustine is not sound,³ where he saith that the soul is a glass of the Trinity, because that there are in it understanding, will, and memory. Neither is their opinion to be approved, which set the Image of God in the power of dominion given unto him, as if he resembled God only in this mark, that he is appointed lord and possessor of all things, where as in deed the Image of God is properly to be sought within him, and not without him, and is an inward good gift of the soul.

Whiche principle beyng established,¹ Osianders imagination of the shape of our body dooth easily vanishe away of it selfe. Where as the man alone is in Paule called the Image and glory of God, and the woman is excluded from that degree of honour, it appereth by the reste of the text, that the same is to be applied only to ciuile order of policie. But that vnder the name of image,