A17662:719
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 if his Filiation (if I may so term it) began sins he was manifested in the flesh, it shall follow, that he was also Son in respect of his nature of man. Seruettus and other such frenetic men would have it, that Christ which appeared in the flesh, is the son of God, because out of the flesh he could not be called by that name. Now let them answer me whether he be the Son according to both natures, and in respect of both. So in deed they prate, but Paul teacheth far otherwise. We grant in deed, that Christ is in the flesh of man called the Son, but not as the faithful are, that is by adoption only and grace, but the true and natural, and therefore only son, that by this mark he may be discerned from all other. For God vouchsafeth to give the name of his sons to us, that are regenerate into a new life: but the name of the true and only begotten son, he giveth to Christ only. How can he be the only son in so great a number of brethren▪ but because he possesseth that by nature, which we have received by gift? And the honour we extend to the whole person of the Mediator, ⟨p. 90⟩that he be truly and properly the Son of God, which was also borne of the Virgin, and offered him self for sacrifice to his father upon the cross:1 but yet in respect of his Godhead, as Paul teacheth, when he saith, he was severed out to preach the Gospel of God, which he had before promised of his Son, which was begotten of the seed of David according to his flesh, and declared the son of God in power. But why, when he nameth him distinctly the Son of David according to the flesh, should he severally say, that he was declared the Son of God, unless he meant to show that this did hang upon some other thing, than upon the very flesh? For in the same sense in an other place he saith,2 that he suffered by the weakness of the flesh, and rose again by the power of the spirit, even so in this place he maketh a difference of both natures. Truly they must needs grant, that as he hath that of his mother for which he is called the Son of David, so he hath that of his Father for which he is called the Son of God: and the same is an other thing and several from the nature of man.