The Institution of Christian Religion

These things were but weak, unless many phrases of Scripture, and such as be each where ready to find, did prove that nothing hereof hath ben devised by man. That same thing which Christ spake of himself,¹ saying: Before that Abraham was, I am: was far disagreeing from his manhood. Neither am I ignorant with what cavillation the erroneous spirits do deprave this place: for they say that he was before all ages, because he was already foreknown the Redeemer, as well in the counsel of the father, as in the minds of the godly. But where as he openly distinguisheth the day of his manifestation from his eternal essence, & o• purpose pronounceth unto himself an authority by antiquity wherein he excelleth above Abraham, he doth undoubtedly challenge to himself ye which is proper to the godhead. Whereas Paul affirmeth that he is the first begotten of all creatures,² which was before all things, & by whom all things keep their being: & whereas he himself ⟨p. 88⟩reporteth that he was in glory with the father before the creation of the world,³ & that he worketh together with the father: these things do nothing more agree with the nature of men. It is therefore certain, that these & such like are peculiarly ascribed to the godhead.⁴ But whereas he is called the servant of the father: & whereas it is said, that he grew in age, wisdom and favour with God and men: that he seeketh not his own glory: that he knoweth not the last day: that he speaketh not of himself: that he doeth not his own will: where it is said, that he was seen and felt: this wholly belongeth to his only manhood. For in respect that he is good,⁵ neither can he increase in any thing, and he worketh all things for his own sake, neither is any thing hidden from him, he doeth all things according to the free choice of his own will, and can neither be seen nor felt. And yet he doth not severally ascribe these things to his nature of man only, but taketh them upon himself, as if they did agree with the person of the mediator. But the communicating of properties is in this that Paul saith,