Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
For as the aged, or those whose sight is defective, when any book, however fair, is set before them, though they perceive that there is something written, are scarcely able to make out two consecutive words, but, when aided by glasses, begin to read distinctly, so Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes how scripture clarifies our understanding of God, much as glasses help the visually impaired read clearly.
In this quote, John Calvin draws an analogy between the experience of individuals with impaired vision and the way scripture reveals the nature of God. He suggests that, just as glasses enable the aged or visually impaired to see clearly and read properly, scripture gathers and clarifies the divine truths that may otherwise appear confusing or obscure to us. The essence of the message is that through scripture, believers can achieve a clearer understanding of God's character and intentions.
Themes
ScriptureGodUnderstandingClarityDivine
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon, the pastor referenced this quote to highlight the importance of scripture in understanding God's nature.
More from John Calvin
All quotes →The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.
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Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
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Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.
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When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
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Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, there a church of God exists, even if it swarms with many faults.
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