Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
They who prematurely put themselves forward to root out whatever is displeasing to them overthrow the judgment of God and rashly intrude upon the office of angels.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against hastily intervening in matters of judgment that should be left to a higher authority.
John Calvin highlights the danger of individuals who take it upon themselves to correct or eliminate what they find displeasing, suggesting that such actions challenge divine judgment and disrupt the natural order. It serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and respect for a higher power in matters beyond our understanding.
Themes
JudgmentHumilityDivineAuthorityIntervention
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about moral integrity, one might say, 'As John Calvin noted, they who prematurely put themselves forward to root out whatever is displeasing may overlook the greater spiritual truth.'
More from John Calvin
All quotes βThe 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.
John CalvinRead
Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
John CalvinRead
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.
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.
John CalvinRead
When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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