A17662:694
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.
And Paul teacheth, that men are no otherwise renewed after the image of God, but if they be coupled with Angels, that they may clean together under one head. Finally, if we believe Christ, this shall be our last felicity, to be made of like form to the Angeles, when we shall be received up into heaven. But if Osiander will conclude, that the original pattern of the image of God was in Christ as he is man, by the same reason a man may say, that Christ must needs have ben partaker of the nature of Angels, because the image of God pertaineth also to them.
And Paule teacheth, that menne are no otherwise renewed after the image of God, but if they be coupled with Angels, that they maye cleane together vnder one head. Finally, yf we beleue Christ, this shalbe our laste felicitie, to be made of like forme to the Angeles, when we shalbe receyued vp into heauen. But if Osiander will conclude, that the originall paterne of the image of God was in Christ as he is man, by the same reason a manne maye say, that Christ muste needes haue ben partaker of the nature of Angels, bicause the image of God perteineth also to them.
Therefore, Osiander hath no cause to fear, that God should be found a liar, unless it had ben first steadfastly and unchangeably decreed in his mind, to have his son incarnate: because if the integrity of Adam had not fallen, he should with the Angels have ben ⟨p. 84⟩like unto God, and yet it should not therefore have ben necessary, […] the son of God should be made either man or Angel. And in •ame he feareth that absurdity, least unless the unchangeable counsel of God had ben before the creation of man that Christ should be borne, not as the redeemer but as the first man, he should have lost his prerogative: forasmuch as now he should be borne man only by an accident cause, that is to restore mankind being lost, and so it might be gathered thereupon, that Christ was created after the image of Adam. For why should he so much abhor that which the Scripture so openly teacheth, that he was made like unto us in all things, except sin?