Quotes from John Calvin

For, to my mind, this is a certain principle, that nothing is here treated of but the visible form of the world. He who would learn astronomy, and other recondite arts, let him go elsewhere. (on commenting the text of Genesis 1:6)

Christ, on the other hand, declares that every single one of God's creatures is under his hand and care, and that nothing happens by chance. In

Yet consider now, whether women are not quite past sense and reason, when they want to rule over men.

The whole life of man until he is converted to Christ is a ruinous labyrinth of wanderings.

The most accomplished in the Scripture are fools, unless they acknowledge that they have need of God for their schoolmaster all the days of their life.

The cross of Christ only triumphs in the breast of believers over the devil and the flesh, sin and sinners, when their eyes are directed to the power of His Resurrection.

Indeed, how can the mind by its own leading come to search out God's essence when it cannot even get to its own?

They who strive to build up a firm faith in Scripture through disputation are doing things backwards.

For the Word of God is not received by faith if it flits about in the top of the brain, but when it takes root in the depth of the heart . . . the heart's distrust is greater than the mind's blindness. It is harder for the heart to be furnished with assurance [of God's love] than for the mind to be endowed with thought.

He regards it as the highest insult for the wicked to boast of His covenant while profaning His sacred Name by their whole lives.

Therefore, in reading profane authors, the admirable light of truth displayed in them should remind us, that the human mind, however much fallen and perverted from its original integrity, is still adorned and invested with admirable gifts from its Creator. If we reflect that the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we will be careful, as we would avoid offering insult to him, not to reject or condemn truth wherever it appears. In despising the gifts, we insult the Giver.

Prayers will never reach God unless they are founded on free mercy.

Were the judgments of mankind correct, custom would be regulated by the good. But it is often far otherwise in point of fact; for, whatever the many are seen to do, forthwith obtains the force of custom. But human affairs have scarcely ever been so happily constituted as that the better course pleased the greater number. Hence the private vices of the multitude have generally resulted in public error, or rather that common consent in vice which these worthy men would have to be law.

Our true wisdom is to embrace with meek docility, and without reservation, whatever the holy scriptures have delivered.

The true wisdom of man consists in the knowledge of God the Creator and Redeemer.

Everything bad that they (the ungodly) can seize hold of in our life is twisted maliciously against Christ and His teaching. The result is that by our fault God's sacred name is exposed to insult. The more closely we see ourselves being watched by our enemies, the more intent we should be to avoid their slanders, so that their ill-will strengthens us in the desire to do well.

Thus it is that we may patiently pass through this life with its misery, hunger, cold, contempt, reproaches, and other troubles - content with this one thing: that our King [Jesus] will never leave us destitute, but will provide for our needs until, our warfare ended, we are called to triumph.

Undoubtedly the dress of a virtuous and godly woman must differ from that of a strumpet.

Philosophers] are like a traveler passing through a field at night who in a momentary lightning flash sees far and wide, but the sight vanishes so swiftly that he is plunged again into the darkness of night before he can take even a step-let alone be directed on the way by its help.

True and sound wisdom consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.

It seems harsh to many to think that God chooses some and rejects others, and does not consider men's worth, that by his own free will he chooses whom he pleases and moreover rejects others. But what is this scruple except a desire to call God to order and subject him to their judgment?

Men in prayer give greater license to their unlawful desires than if they were telling jocular tales among their equals.

Let us, however, remember this truth: No one has made much progress in the school of Christ who doesn't look forward joyfully both to his death and the day of his final resurrection.

This is how we can distinguish true religion from superstition: when the Word of God directs us, there is true religion; but when each man follows his own opinion, or when men join together to follow an opinion they hold in common, the result is always concocted superstition.