Free Republic

"Catabaptists" is Calvin's term for "Anabaptists" - the sixteenth century radicals who basically wanted nothing to do with the earthly state, and did not encourage concern for the office of a magistrate or (in this case) the monarch. Calvin is keen to demonstrate to the King that Protestants, whilst critical of religious matters, are of a different stripe. Protestants prove loyal citizens, regularly pray for the King, demonstrate courage and fortitude as both citizens and soldiers and are the salt of the earth. Calvin is speaking of himself in these closing lines of the preface; speaking, let it be said,...

How is the true church to be known? Calvin's response in the preface to the Institutes is clear: it is known by "the pure preaching of God's Word and the lawful administration of the sacraments." Contrary to Roman insistence that the church is always marked by great pomp and is always visible, Calvin (perhaps to the encouragement of beleaguered evangelicals in France secretly meeting is small numbers and without outward show) reminds King Francis that the church often appeared in less than glorious form to the human eye, both in the Old Testament and in church history. It is important...

Although the Institutes itself grew five-fold from its first to the fifth edition, the contents of the Preface written to King Francis I remained largely the same. Precedent for publishing an introductory theological essay to the King had been set by both Guillaume Farel and Huldrych Zwingli in 1525. Thus, in 1536, at the occasion of the first edition of the Institutes, Calvin wrote what was in effect a letter (a "Prefatory Address") to the King, which was included in all succeeding editions, both Latin and French. Though minor changes were made, reflecting historical developments in the 1550s in France...

Institutes of the Christian Religion Chapter 7. Sections 1-5The Law Given, Not to Retain a People for Itself, But to Keep Alive the Hope of Salvation In Christ Until His Advent. The divisions of this chapter are, I. The Moral and Ceremonial Law a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, § 1, 2. II. This true of the Moral Law, especially its conditional promises. These given for the best reasons. In what respect the observance of the Moral Law is said to be impossible, § 3-5. III. Of the threefold office and use of the Moral Law, § 6-12. Antinomians...

THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION Chapter 6Redemption for Man Lost to Be Sought In Christ. The parts of this chapter are, I. The excellence of the doctrine of Christ the Redeemer—a doctrine always entertained by the Church, § 1. II. Christ, the Mediator in both dispensations, was offered to the faith of the pious Israelites and people of old, as is plain from the institution of sacrifice, the calling of Abraham’s family, and the elevation of David and his posterity, § 2. III. Hence the consolation, strength, hope, and confidence of the godly under the Law, Christ being offered...

THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGIONBook Second Chapter 5.Chapter 5.The Arguments Usually Alleged In Support of Free Will Refuted. Objections reduced to three principal heads:—I. Four absurdities advanced by the opponents of the orthodox doctrine concerning the slavery of the will, stated and refuted, § 1-5. II. The passages of Scripture which they pervert in favour of their error, reduced to five heads, and explained, § 6-15. III. Five other passages quoted in defence of free will expounded, § 16-19. Sections. First class of arguments which the Neo-Pelagians draw from Scripture in defence of free will. 1. The Law demands...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Second - Chapter 5 - sections 1-6The Arguments Usually Alleged In Support of Free Will Refuted. Objections reduced to three principal heads:—I. Four absurdities advanced by the opponents of the orthodox doctrine concerning the slavery of the will, stated and refuted, § 1-5. II. The passages of Scripture which they pervert in favour of their error, reduced to five heads, and explained, § 6-15. III. Five other passages quoted in defence of free will expounded, § 16-19.Sections. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained....

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Second - Chapter 4.How God Works In the Hearts of Men. The leading points discussed in this chapter are, I. Whether in bad actions anything is to be attributed to God; if anything, how much. Also, what is to be attributed to the devil and to man, § 1-5. II. In indifferent matters, how much is to be attributed to God, and how much is left to man, § 6. III. Two objections refuted, § 7, 8.Sections. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine’s similitude of a good and...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Second - Chapter 3 – Sections 7-14Every Thing Proceeding From the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable. The principal matters in this chapter are—I. A recapitulation of the former chapter, proving, from passages of Scriptures that the intellect and will of man are so corrupted, that no integrity, no knowledge or fear of God, can now be found in him, § 1 and 2. II. Objections to this doctrine, from the virtues which shone in some of the heathen, refuted, § 3 and 4. III. What kind of will remains in...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Second - Chapter 3 - Sections 1-6Every Thing Proceeding From the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable. The principal matters in this chapter are—I. A recapitulation of the former chapter, proving, from passages of Scriptures that the intellect and will of man are so corrupted, that no integrity, no knowledge or fear of God, can now be found in him, § 1 and 2. II. Objections to this doctrine, from the virtues which shone in some of the heathen, refuted, § 3 and 4. III. What kind of will remains in...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Second -- Chapter 2 -- sections 10 - 27Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved. Having in the first chapter treated of the fall of man, and the corruption of the human race, it becomes necessary to inquire, Whether the sons of Adam are deprived of all liberty; and if any particle of liberty remains, how far its power extends? The four next chapters are devoted to this question. This second chapter may be reduced to three general heads: I. The foundation of the whole discussion. II....

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Two Chapter 2 Sections 1-9 Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved. Having in the first chapter treated of the fall of man, and the corruption of the human race, it becomes necessary to inquire, Whether the sons of Adam are deprived of all liberty; and if any particle of liberty remains, how far its power extends? The four next chapters are devoted to this question. This second chapter may be reduced to three general heads: I. The foundation of the whole discussion. II. The opinions of...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin Book Second Chapter 1.Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made Accursed and Degenerate. Of Original Sin. I. How necessary the knowledge of ourselves is, its nature, the danger of mistake, its leading parts, § 1, 2, 3. II. The causes of Adam’s fearful fall, § 4. III. The effects of the fall extending to Adam’s posterity, and all the creatures, § 5, to the end of the Chapter, where the nature, propagation, and effect of original sin are considered.Sections. The knowledge of ourselves most necessary. To...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion By John Calvin Book First, Chapter 18.The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed By God, While He Continues Free From Every Taint. This last chapter of the First Book consists of three parts: I. It having been said above that God bends all the reprobate, and even Satan himself, at his will, three objections are started. First, that this happens by the permission, not by the will of God. To this objection there is a twofold reply, the one, that angels and men, good and bad, do nothing but what is appointed by God; the...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book First Chapter 17. By John Calvin Use to Be Made of the Doctrine of Providence. This chapter may be conveniently divided into two parts:—I. A general explanation is given of the doctrine of Divine Providence, in so far as conducive to the solid instruction and consolation of the godly, § 1, and specially § 2-12. First, however, those are refuted who deny that the world is governed by the secret and incomprehensible counsel of God; those also who throw the blame of all wickedness upon God, and absurdly pretend that exercises of piety...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book First Chapter 16 Chapter 16.The World, Created By God, Still Cherished and Protected By Him. Each and All of Its Parts Governed By His Providence. The divisions of this chapter are, I. The doctrine of the special providence of God over all the creatures, singly and collectively, as opposed to the dreams of the Epicureans about fortune and fortuitous causes. II. The fiction of the Sophists concerning the omnipotence of God, and the error of philosophers, as to a confused and equivocal government of the world, § 1-5. All animals, but especially mankind,...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion Book First Chapter 15 by John Calvin Chapter 15.State In Which Man Was Created. The Faculties of the Soul—The Image of God—Free Will—Original Righteousness. This chapter is thus divided:—I. The necessary rules to be observed in considering the state of man before the fall being laid down, the point first considered is the creation of the body, and the lesson taught by its being formed out of the earth, and made alive, § 1. II. The immortality of the human soul is proved by various solid arguments, § 2. III. The image of God...

Institutes of the Christian Religion Chapter 14 sections 14-22In the Creation of the World, and All Things In It, the True God Distinguished By Certain Marks From Fictitious Gods. In this chapter commences the second part of Book First—viz. the knowledge of man. Certain things premised. I. The creation of the world generally (§ 1 and 2). II. The subject of angels considered (§ 3-13). III. Of bad angels or devils (§ 13-20); and, IV. The practical use to be made of the history of the creation (§ 20-22).Sections. That we may be stimulated to exercises of piety. Why one...

The Institutes of the Christian Religion Chapter 14. Sections 1-13 In the Creation of the World, and All Things In It, the True God Distinguished By Certain Marks From Fictitious Gods. In this chapter commences the second part of Book First—viz. the knowledge of man. Certain things premised. I. The creation of the world generally (§ 1 and 2). II. The subject of angels considered (§ 3-13). III. Of bad angels or devils (§ 13-20); and, IV. The practical use to be made of the history of the creation (§ 20-22).Sections. The mere fact of creation should lead us to...

—Institutes of the Christian Religion Book First Chapter 13 Sections 21 to the End The Unity of the Divine Essence In Three Persons Taught, In Scripture, From the Foundation of the World. This chapter consists of two parts. The former delivers the orthodox doctrine concerning the Holy Trinity. This occupies from § 1-21, and may be divided into four heads; the first, treating of the meaning of Person, including both the term and the thing meant by it, § 2-6; the second, proving the deity of the Son, § 7-13; the third, the deity of the Holy Spirit, § 14...