How do you know yourself to be a son of God in fact as well as in name?”Answer: “Because I am baptized in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” - John Calvin (from his catechism)
~ John Calvin
True knowledge of God is born out of obedience.
We should consider that the brightness of the Divine countenance, which even an apostle declares to be inaccessible, (1Ti 6: 16) is a kind of labyrinth — a labyrinth to us inextricable, if the Word do not serve us as a thread to guide our path; and that it is better to limp in the way, than run with the greatest swiftness out of it.
Our true wisdom is to embrace with meek docility, and without reservation, whatever the holy scriptures have delivered.
The Must be worthless by our estimation or keep us enslaved by an intemperate love of it.
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.
Prayers will never reach God unless they are founded on free mercy.
When the same qualities which we admire in ourselves are seen in others, even though they be superior, maliciously lower and carp at them.
We are not to reflect on the wickedness of men but to look to the image of God in them, an image which, covering and obliterating their faults, an image which, by its beauty and dignity, should allure us to love and embrace them.
We are not to look to what men in themselves deserve but to attend to the image of God which exists in all and to which we owe all honor and love.
We unlearn the art of speaking well when we cease to speak with God.
Faith consists not in ignorance but in knowledge and that not only of God but also of the divine will.
Faith is a knowledge of the benevolence of God toward us and a certain persuasion of His veracity.
Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God. Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true sound wisdom consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.
The knowledge of ourselves, therefore, is not only an incitement to seek after God, but likewise a considerable assistance towards finding him.
Knowledge of the sciences is so much smoke apart from the heavenly science of Christ.
There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence.
Yet consider now, whether women are not quite past sense and reason, when they want to rule over men.
A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.
No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.
However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.
There is no work, however vile or sordid, that does not glisten before God.
Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.
Is it faith to understand nothing, and merely submit your convictions implicitly to the Church?
God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us - as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray.
