A17662:721
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.
They do in deed disorderly enforce for the maintenance of their error,§7 the place where it is said,1 that God spared not his own Son: and where the Angel commanded, that the very same he that should be borne of the Virgin,2 should be called the Son of the highest. But, lest they should glory in so fickle an objection, let them weigh with us a little, how strongly they reason. For if it be rightly concludeth, that from his conception he began to be the Son of God, because he that is conceived is called the Son of God, then shall it follow, that he began to be the word at his manifesting in the flesh, because John saith,3 that he bringeth them tidings of the Word of life, which his hands have handled. Likewise that, which is read in the Prophet,4 Thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, art a little one in thousands of Judah: Out of it shall be borne to me a guide to rule my people Israel, and his coming fourth from the beginning, from the days of eternity. Howe will they be compelled to expound this, if they will be content to follow such manner of reasoning? For I have protested, that we do not agree with Nestorius, which imagined a double ⟨image 170⟩Christ: whereas by our doctrine, Christ hath made us the sons of God with him, by right of brotherly conjoining, because he is the only begot son of God in the flesh which he toke of us. And Augustine doth wisely admonish us, that this is a bright glass, wherein to behold the marvellous and singular favour of God, that he attained honour in respect that he is man which he could not deserve. Therefore Christ was adorned with this excellency, even according to the flesh from the womb of his mother, to be the Son of God. Yet is there not in the unity of person to be feigned such a mixture, as may take away that which is proper to the Godhead. For it is no more absurdity, that the eternal word of God and Christ, by reason of the two natures united into one person, be diverse ways called the Son of God, than that he be according to diverse respects, called sometime the Son of God, and sometime the Son of Man. And no more doth that other cavillation of Seruertus accomber us: