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John Calvin Quotes
1509–1564 France
John Calvin (10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564) was a major French Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation; he is renowned for his teaching and infamous for his role in the execution of Michael Servetus.
France Lawyers Non-fiction authors Theologians Also known as: Calvin, Calvin, John, Institutes of the Christian Religion
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121 quotes
The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul.
Since we are all naturally prone to hypocrisy, any empty semblance of righteousness is quite enough to satisfy us instead of righteousness itself.
Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)
All men promiscuously do homage to God, but very few truly reverence him. On all hands there is abundance of ostentatious ceremonies, but sincerity of heart is rare.
But it must be admitted that our heart is never seriously inclined to wish for and to mediate on the future life unless it has first thoroughly learned to forsake the vanities of the present world.
Where is our acknowledgement of God if our thoughts are fixed on the glamour of our garments?
The supreme and only Judge of the universe stands before the tribunal of an earthly judge.
It is better to limp in the way, than run with the greatest swiftness out of it.
Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)
If God has bestowed on us any excellent gift, we imagine it to be our own achievement; and we swell and even burst with pride.
We must not only resist, but boldly attack prevailing evils.
Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)
Each church is free to establish whatever form of organisation is suitable and useful itself, for God has prescribed nothing specific about this.
We should forever keep in mind that we must not brood on the wickedness of man, but realize that he is God’s image bearer.
We should not insist on absolute perfection of the gospel in our fellow Christians, however we may strive for it ourselves.
The more we are oppressed by the cross, the fuller will be our spiritual joy.
Everyone flatters himself and carries a kingdom in his breast.
No religion is genuine unless it be joined with truth.
The denial of ourselves which Christ has so diligently commanded his disciples from the beginning will at last dominate all the desires of our heart.
I cannot think such language either right, or becoming, or suitable. ... To call the Virgin Mary the mother of God can only serve to confirm the ignorant in their superstitions.
Even if this earth is only a vestibule, we ought undoubtedly to make such a use of its blessing that we are assisted rather than delayed in our journey.
Let this be our rule for goodwill and helpfulness, that whenever we are able to assist others we should behave as stewards who must someday give an account of ourselves.
If we are minded to affirm Christ's Kingdom as we ought, we must wage irreconcilable war with him who is plotting its ruin.
Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)
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