John Calvin Quotes
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It is only the goodness of God sensibly experienced by us which opens our mouth to celebrate His praise.
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A soul, therefore, when deprived of the Word of God, is given up unarmed to the devil for destruction.
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When we know God to be our Father, should we not desire that he be known as such by all? And if we do not have this passion, that all creatures do him homage, is it not a sign that his glory means little to us?
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As far as sacred Scripture is concerned, however much froward men try to gnaw at it, nevertheless it clearly is crammed with thoughts that could not be humanly conceived. Let each of the prophets be looked into: none will be found who does not far exceed human measure. Consequently, those for whom prophetic doctrine is tasteless ought to be thought of as lacking taste buds.
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No one will calmly and quietly submit to bear the cross except those who have learned to seek their happiness beyond this world.
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I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience. My efforts are not absolutely useless; yet I have never been able to conquer this ferocious wild beast.
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Involvement in public life provides the opportunity to shape our manners in accordance with civil justice.
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Humility is the beginning of true intelligence.
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Assuredly there is but one way in which to achieve what is not merely difficult but utterly against human nature: to love those who hate us, to repay their evil deeds with benefits, to return blessings for reproaches. It is that we remember not to consider men's evil intention but to look upon the image of God in them, which cancels and effaces their transgressions, and with its beauty and dignity allures us to love and embrace them.
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Pagan philosophers set up reason as the sole guide of life, of wisdom and conduct; but Christian philosophy demands of us that we surrender our reason to the Holy Spirit; and this means that we no longer live for ourselves, but that Christ lives and reigns within us (Rom 12:1; Eph 4:23; Gal 2:20).
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We can experience joy in adverse circumstances by holding God's benefits in such esteem that the recognition of them and meditation upon them shall overcome all sorrow.
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Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God.
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Joy and thanksgiving expressed in prayer and praise according to the Word of God are the heart of the Church's worship.
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Without the fear of God, men do not even observe justice and charity among themselves.
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To be Christians under the law of grace does not mean to wander unbridled outside the law, but to be engrafted in Christ, by whose grace we are free from the curse of the law, and by whose Spirit we have the law engraved upon our hearts.
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If we are given gold, would we not test it to determine it's value? If we doubted its genuineness - we would test it by fire...and so God with us.
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The world was no doubt made, that it might be a theatre of the divine glory.
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Faith and patience are exceptional virtues in those that suffer. Patience is the fruit and evidence of faith.
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Seeing God hath thus set us at liberty, what rashness it is for worms of the earth to make new laws; as though God had not been wise enough.
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There is no place for faith if we expect God to fulfill immediately what he promises.
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When the Bible speaks, God speaks.
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The whole gospel is contained in Christ.
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In a way, the futile excuses many people use to cover their superstitions are demolished. They think it is enough to have some sort of religious fervor, however ridiculous, not realizing that true religion must be according to God's will as the perfect measure; that He can never deny Himself and is no mere spirit form to be changed around according to individual preference.
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Prayers will never reach God unless they are founded on free mercy.