Patrick Hamblin’s Reviews > Institutes of the Christian Religion: Calvin's Own 'Essentials' Edition > Status Update

“Thus the heart of every creature should burn with the desire to listen to the law, since it comes from the sovereign Lord…Finally, we should be motivated to obey our God the moment we realize that it is through His mercy and power that we have been freed from the pit of hell.” (122)

“First, when we compare the righteousness of the law with the life we lead and when we see how little we comply with Gods will, We recognize that we do not deserve to keep our place and position among His creatures, still less to be reckoned as his children. Second, in weighing up our strengths, we should regard them not only as incapable of fulfilling the law but as non-existent.” (111)

“With these harsh words (Rom 3:10-18) he thunders against not some men only, but the whole of Adam’s race … His purpose here is not merely to reprimand men so that they will reform themselves, but rather to teach them that they are all, from the highest to the lowest, so mired in calamity that there is no escape, except as God‘s mercy brings deliverance.” (66-67)

“When, therefore, we discover the wonderful light of truth in the work of pagan authors, that should alert us to the fact that man’s nature, though fallen from its integrity and profoundly corrupt, is nevertheless adorned with many of God’s gifts. If we recognize the Spirit of God as the unique source of truth, we will not despise it wherever it appears unless we wish to offend God’s Spirit.” (55)