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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...

Institutes of the Christian ReligionBook First. Chapter 13. Sections 14-20The 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 and 15; and the fourth,...

Chapter 13. (Parts 7 – 13)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 and 15; and the fourth, explaining what is to...

Chapter 13. (PARTS 1-6)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 and 15; and the fourth, explaining what is to be held...

Chapter 12.God Distinguished From Idols, That He May Be the Exclusive Object of Worship. Sections. Scripture, in teaching that there is but one God, does not make a dispute about words, but attributes all honour and religious worship to him alone. This proved, 1st, By the etymology of the term. 2d, By the testimony of God himself, when he declares that he is a jealous God, and will not allow himself to be confounded with any fictitious Deity. The Papists in opposing this pure doctrine, gain nothing by their distinction of δυλια and λατρια. Passages of Scripture subversive of the...

Chapter 11.Impiety of Attributing a Visible Form to God.—The Setting Up of Idols a Defection From the True God. There are three leading divisions in this chapter. The first contains a refutation of those who ascribe a visible form to God (§ 1 and 2), with an answer to the objection of those who, because it is said that God manifested his presence by certain symbols, use it as a defence of their error (§ 3 and 4). Various arguments are afterwards adduced, disposing of the trite objection from Gregory’s expression, that images are the books of the unlearned (§...

Chapter 10.In Scripture, the True God Opposed, Exclusively, to All the Gods of the Heathen. Sections. Explanation of the knowledge of God resumed. God as manifested in Scripture, the same as delineated in his works. The attributes of God as described by Moses, David, and Jeremiah. Explanation of the attributes. Summary. Uses of this knowledge. Scripture, in directing us to the true God, excludes the gods of the heathen, who, however, in some sense, held the unity of God. 1. We formerly observed that the knowledge of God, which, in other respects, is not obscurely exhibited in the frame of...

Chapter 9.All the Principles of Piety Subverted By Fanatics, Who Substitute Revelations for Scripture. Sections. The temper and error of the Libertines, who take to themselves the name of spiritual, briefly described. Their refutation. 1. The Apostles and all true Christians have embraced the written Word. This confirmed by a passage in Isaiah; also by the example and words of Paul. 2. The Spirit of Christ seals the doctrine of the written Word on the minds of the godly. Refutation continued. 3. The impositions of Satan cannot be detected without the aid of the written Word. First Objection. The Answer...

Chapter 8.The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved In So Far As Natural Reason Admits. This chapter consists of four parts. The first contains certain general proofs which may be easily gathered out of the writings both of the Old and New Testament—viz. the arrangement of the sacred volume, its dignity, truth, simplicity, efficacy, and majesty, § 1, 2. The second part contains special proofs taken from the Old Testament—viz. the antiquity of the books of Moses, their authority, his miracles and prophecies, § 3-7; also, the predictions of the other prophets and their wondrous harmony, § 8. There is subjoined...

Chapter 7.The Testimony of the Spirit Necessary to Give Full Authority to Scripture. The Impiety of Pretending That the Credibility of Scripture Depends on the Judgment of the Church. Section. The authority of Scripture derived not from men, but from the Spirit of God. Objection, That Scripture depends on the decision of the Church. Refutation, I. The truth of God would thus be subjected to the will of man. II. It is insulting to the Holy Spirit. III. It establishes a tyranny in the Church. IV. It forms a mass of errors. V. It subverts conscience. VI. It exposes our...

Chapter 6.The Need of Scripture, As a Guide and Teacher, In Coming to God As a Creator. Sections. God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himself—viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first. First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing. This view confirmed, 1. By the depravity of our nature making it necessary in every one who would know God to have recourse to the word; 2....

Chapter 5.The Knowledge of God Conspicuous In the Creation, and Continual Government of the World. This chapter consists of two parts: 1. The former, which occupies the first ten sections, divides all the works of God into two great classes, and elucidates the knowledge of God as displayed in each class. The one class is treated of in the first six, and the other in the four following sections: 2. The latter part of the chapter shows, that, in consequence of the extreme stupidity of men, those manifestations of God, however perspicuous, lead to no useful result. This latter part,...

Chapter 4.The Knowledge of God Stifled Or Corrupted, Ignorantly Or Maliciously. Sections. The knowledge of God suppressed by ignorance, many falling away into superstition. Such persons, however, inexcusable, because their error is accompanied with pride and stubbornness. Stubbornness the companion of impiety. No pretext can justify superstition. This proved, first, from reason; and, secondly, from Scripture. The wicked never willingly come into the presence of God. Hence their hypocrisy. Hence, too, their sense of Deity leads to no good result. 1. But though experience testifies that a seed of religion is divinely sown in all, scarcely one in a hundred...

Chapter 3.The Knowledge of God Naturally Implanted In the Human Mind. Sections. The knowledge of God being manifested to all makes the reprobate without excuse. Universal belief and acknowledgment of the existence of God. Objection—that religion and the belief of a Deity are the inventions of crafty politicians. Refutation of the objection. This universal belief confirmed by the examples of wicked men and Atheists. Confirmed also by the vain endeavours of the wicked to banish all fear of God from their minds. Conclusion, that the knowledge of God is naturally implanted in the human mind. 1. That there exists in...

Chapter 1.The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves Mutually Connected.—Nature of the Connection Sections. The sum of true wisdom—viz. the knowledge of God and of ourselves. Effects of the latter. Effects of the knowledge of God, in humbling our pride, unveiling our hypocrisy, demonstrating the absolute perfections of God, and our own utter helplessness. Effects of the knowledge of God illustrated by the examples, 1. of holy patriarchs; 2. of holy angels; 3. of the sun and moon. 1. Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts:...