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Becoming more callous and hardened when God thunders verbally from heaven, they obstinately persist in their rebellion. It is only when actually smitten by his hand that they are forced, whether they will or not, to fear. This fear the sacred writers term servile, and oppose to the free and voluntary fear which becomes sons.

— John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

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More quotes by John Calvin

There is also an old proverb, that they who pay much attention to the body generally neglect the soul.

We should never insult others on account of their faults, for it is our duty to show charity and respect to everyone.

We must resist wandering thoughts in prayer. Raising our hands reminds us that we need to raise up our minds to God, setting aside all irrelevant thoughts.

Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

It is easy to see how superstition, with its false glosses, mocks God, while it tries to please him.

Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

There is not one little blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make men rejoice.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Calvin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.