A17662:268
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.
But before I go any further, it is needful that I meet with the doting §5error of the Manichees,1 which Seruetto hath attempted to bring in again in this age. Where it is said, that God breathed the breath of life into the face of man, they thought that the soul did convey into man the substance of God, as if some portion of the immeasurable God were come into man. But it is easy even shortly to show how many gross and foul absurdities this devilish error draweth with it. For if the soul be by derivation part of the essence of God, it shall follow that the nature of God is subject, not only to change and ⟨image 64⟩passions, but also to ignorance, evil lusts, weakness, and all kinds of vices. Nothing is more inconstant than man, because contrary motions do toss and diversely draw his soul, oftentimes he is blind by ignorance, oft he yieldeth as vanquished even to small tentations, and we know that the soul it self is the sink and receiver of all filthiness, all which things we must ascribe to the nature of God, if we grant that the soul is of the essence of God, or a secrete inflowing of godhead. Who would not abhor this monstrous devise? Truly in deed doth Paul allege out of Aratus, that we are the offspring of God, but in quality and not in substance,2 in as much as he hath garnished us with godly gifts. But in the mean time to tear in •under the essence of the Creator, as to say, that every man doth possess part of it, is to much madness. Therefore we must certainly hold, that the souls, although the image of God be graven in them, were no less created than the angels were. And creation is not a pouring out of one substance into an other, but a beginning of essence made of nothing. And although the spirit of man came from God, and in departing out of the flesh returneth to God, yet is not forthwith to be said, that it was taken out of his substance. And in this point also of Oseander, while he glorieth in his illusions, hath entangled himself with an ungodly error, not acknowledging the image of God to be in man without his essential justice, as though God by the inestimable power of his holy spirit could not make us like unto him self, unless Christ should substantially pour him self into us.