Archive for May 30th, 2008
In the following, Calvin sets out upon whom faith rests, what faith trusts in, and the assurance which this faith imparts. These aspects are inter-dependent in Calvin’s theology.1
Sermons:
1) For God must first have told us that he loveth us, or else we cannot rest upon his goodness, nor call upon him as our father. Now let us see what this promise is. God not only saith that he will have pity upon us, but also telleth us that although we be wretched sinners, yet he will not cease to accept us, because he burieth all our sins, namely by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ: for that sacrifice must needs come forth everywhere, where any mention is made of the forgiving of sins. Never can there be any pardon gotten at God’s hand, except there be bloodshedding with it for a satisfaction. So then the foundation of this promise where God saith that he will be merciful to us, is Christ’s shedding of his blood to wash away our spots, and his offering up of himself for a full amends, to pacify the wrath of God his father. Thus ye see how that if we be of faith, we have our eyes fastened upon Jesus Christ, and our rest and quietness is altogether in his death and passion, which is the only mean to reconcile us unto God. John Calvin, Sermons on Galatians. (New Jersey. Old Paths Publications, 1995), 3:7-9.
2) For it is very certain that the forefathers had the spirit of faith or belief, according as I have showed you already that Abraham was justified because he believed God, and that we also must be fashioned like to his example in that behalf, as whereby we be made his children to come to the kingdom of heaven. Then had faith his full strength at all times, and there was never any other means to set God and men at one: but yet was not the faith revealed in Abraham’s time, because our Lord Jesus Christ who is the very pledge and substance thereof, was not yet come into the world. Thus ye see how we be justified freely at this day, and without any desert of our own. And why is that? For he that believeth that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and is risen again for our justification: hath all the whole. And it is said in another place, (Romans 10:10) our believing in our heart maketh us righteous, and our confessing with our mouth maketh us safe. John Calvin, Sermons on Galatians. (New Jersey. Old Paths Publications, 1995), 3:21-25.
3) But I have showed you heretofore, that our believing in Jesus Christ is not as the crediting of some story when we hear it or read it, but a receiving and conceiving of him inwardly with full assuredness as he is offered us by God his father. Therefore when we embrace our Lord Jesus Christ, as the party that hath made amends [paid] for our sins to reconcile us to God, so as we repose the whole trust of our welfare in him, not doubting but that he hath brought us all that is for the inheriting of heaven: I say if we be once assured of that: it is no marvel though God acknowledge us as his children for our beliefs sake. John Calvin, Sermons on Galatians. (New Jersey. Old Paths Publications, 1995), 3:26-29.