An abridgement of the Institution of Christian religion written

7 And before I go any further, I must prove the §1Godhead of the son, and also of the holy ghost: §2that done, we shall see how they differ. Surely forasmuch as the word of God is spoken of in the scriptures,¹ it were an absurd thing to imagine only a fading or vanishing voice, which being uttered in the air, doth come forth without God himself, when as the word is rather meant to be the perpetual wisdom of God,² resiant with God, from which both oracles and also all Prophesies did proceed. For as Peter doth witness,^* the old prophets did no less speak by the spirit of Christ, then the Apostles, & whosoever they were, which after them had the administration of the celestial doctrine. And because Christ was not as yet revealed, we must needs understand the word begotten of the father before all worlds.⁴ And if so be it that spirit was the spirit of the word, whose instruments the Prophets were, we do undoubtedly gather that he was very God.⁵ Which thing Moses doth teach plainly enough in the creation of the world,^* when he setteth that word as in the middle.

7 And before I goe anie further, I must proue the §1Godhead of the sonne, and also of the holie ghost: §2that done, we shall see how they differ. Surelie forasmuch as the word of God is spoken of in the scriptures,¹ it were an absurd thing to imagine onlie a fading or vanishing voice, which being vttered in the aire, doth come foorth without God himselfe, when as the worde is rather meant to bee the perpetuall wisdome of God,