Monday, April 12, 2010

And this is why we read Calvin...

Of the one who truly seeks to know and love God, Calvin writes:

"He who thus knows him, sensible that all things are subject to his control, confides in him as his Guardian and Protector, and unreservedly commits himself to his care. Assured that he is the author of all blessings, in distress or want he immediately flies to his protection and expects his aid. Persuaded of his goodness and mercy, he relies on hi with unlimited confidence, nor doubts of finding in his clemency a remedy provided for all his evils. Knowing him to be his Lord and Father, he concludes that he ought to mark is government in all things, revere his majesty, endeavor to promote his glory, and obey his commands. Perceiving him to be a just Judge, armed with severity for the punishment of crimes, he keeps his tribunal always in view, an dis restrained by fear from provoking his wrath. Yet he is not so terrified at the apprehension of his justice, as to wis to evade it, even if escape were possible; but loves him as much in punishing the wicked as in blessing the pious, because he believes it as necessary to his glory to punish the impious and abandoned, as to reward the righteous with eternal life. Besides, he restrains himself from sin, not merely from a dread of vengeance, but because he loves and reveres God as his Father, honors and worships him as his Lord, and, even though there were no hell, would shudder at the thought of offending him. See, then, the nature of pure and genuine religion." - Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book I.I)

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