Calvin's Exhortation Regarding the Proper Use of God's Truth

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toddpedlar

Iron Dramatist
From his 1st sermon on Job (p. 2, BoT edition, 1993 (1574)):

"Likewise in our whole life, we have to look unto this point: namely that if we be grounded upon good and rightful reason, it behooveth each one of us to stand upon his guard, that he reel not, and waver not one way or the other. For there is nothing easier than to mar a good and rightful matter, so sinful is our nature, as we find by experience at all times. God of his grace may give us a good case, and yet we may be so stinged by our enemies, that we cannot hold ourselves within our bounds, nor simply follow that which God hath enjoined us, without adding some trick of our own. Seeing then that we be so easily carried away, we ought the rather to pray unto God, that when we have a good case, he himself will vouchsafe to guide us in all singleness by his Holy Spirit, so as we may not pass the bounds, which he hath set us by his word. Herewithall also we be put in mind, not to apply God's truth to any evil use. For in so doing we dishonor it; like as these men [Job's friends - TKP] do here, who although they speak holily (as we have shewed already, and as we shall see more fully hearafter) are notwithstanding but traitors to God. For they corrupt God's truth, and abuse it falsely, applying that thing to an evil end, which of itself is good and rightful. So, then, whensoever God giveth us the knowledge of his word, let us learn to receive it with such reverence, as our receiving of it may not be to deface good things, nor set a color upon evil things, as oftentimes those that be most sharpwitted and cunning, do overshoot themselves, and abuse the knowledge that God hath given them, unto deceit and naughtiness, turning all things topsy-turvy, in such wise as they do nothing but snarl themselves. Considering therefore how all men are given to such infirmity, it standeth us so much the more on hand, to pray God to give us the grace to apply his word to such use as he hath ordained it: that is to wit, to purity and simpleness."
 
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