The Institution of Christian Religion

But rather that doctrine which is received among the true teachers, concerning the flesh of Christ, is v•ry well proved by that place. For if Christ had not all one nature of body with us it were a very vain argument, that Paul with such vehemency •oloweth:¹ that if Christ be risen again, we shall also rise again: and y• we do not rise, then that Christ also is not risen. By what cavillations so ever either the old Manichees or their new Disciples go about to escape, they shall not wind themselves away. It is a foul shift, that they fondly say, that Christ is called the son of man, in so much as he is promised of men. For it is plain, that after the Hebrew phrase, very man in deed is called the Son of man. And Christ without doubt kept the phrase of his own tongue. Also it ought to make no question, what ought to be understanded by the children of Adam. And (not to go far of) the place of the .viij. Psalm, which the Apostles apply to Christ, shall be sufficient enough: What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him? In this figure is expressed the true manhood of Christ. For though he were not immediately begotten of a mortal father, yet his race came from Adam. For else that place could not stand which we have already alleged, that Christ is made partaker of flesh and blood,² that he might gather to him young children to the service of God. In which words it is plainly determined, that Christ is made fellow & partaker of all one nature with us. ⟨p. 86⟩In which meaning also he saith, that both the author of holiness and they that are made holy, are all of one. For it is proved by the process of the text, that the same is referred to the fellowship of nature: because he by and by addeth, Therefore he is not ashamed to call them brethren. For if he had said before, that the faithful are of God in so great dignity, what cause should there be to be ashamed? But because Christ of his infinite grace doth join himself to the base & unnoble, therefore it is said, that he is not a shamed. But in vain the• object, that by this mean the wicked shall become the brethren of Christ: because we know that the children of God are not borne of flesh and blood, but of the holy ghost by faith. Therefore only flesh maketh not a brotherly joining.