Chapter 1.—Of the Two Lines of the Human Race Which from First to Last Divide It. Of the bliss of Paradise, of Paradise itself, and of the life of our first parents there, and of their sin and punishment, many have thought much, spoken much, written much. We ourselves, too, have spoken of these things in the foregoing books, and have written either what we read in the Holy Scri…

I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren. Calvin shows Paul's anguish over Israel's rejection, but insists that God's word has not failed. Not all who descend from Israel are Israel. God's purpose according to election stands: Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. The potter has power over the clay to make one vessel unto honour and another unto d…

Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor? If God works in us as the potter shapes the clay, what room is left for free will to maneuver? Paul uses this very image to show that God's election does not depend on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

Preface of Rufinus. Reader, remember me in your prayers, that we too may deserve to be made emulators of the spirit. The two former books on The Principles I translated not only at your instance, but even under pressure from you during the days of Lent; but as you, my devout brother Macarius, were not only living near me during that time, but had more leisure at your command th…

Of the goodness of God explained in the creation of things, and of the Trinity as found in the first words of Genesis. The story concerning the origin of the world (Genesis 1) is allegorically explained, and he applies it to those things which God works for sanctified and blessed man. Finally, he makes an end of this work, having implored eternal rest from God. Chapter 1. He Ca…

In this way, then, God brought into existence mental essence , by which I mean, angels and all the heavenly orders. For these clearly have a mental and incorporeal nature: incorporeal I mean in comparison with the denseness of matter. For the Deity alone in reality is immaterial and incorporeal. But further He created in the same way sensible essence , that is heaven and earth …

We believe the most good God to have from eternity predestinated unto glory those whom He hath chosen, and to have consigned unto condemnation those whom He hath rejected; but not so that He would justify the one, and consign and condemn the other without cause. For that would be contrary to the nature of God, who is the common Father of all, and no respecter of persons, and wo…