But we have nothing of the Spirit except through regeneration. Everything, therefore, which we have from nature is flesh.

It would be the height of absurdity to label ignorance tempered by humility "faith"! (Institutio III.2.3)

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.

If people mean that man has in himself the power to work in partnership with God's grace they are most wretchedly deluding themselves.

Our physical illnesses serve us for medicines to purge us from worldly affections and retrench what is superfluous in us, and since they are to us the messengers of death, we ought to learn to have one foot raised to take our departure when it shall please God.

Faith does not proceed from ourselves, but is the fruit of spiritual regeneration.

I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience. My efforts are not absolutely useless; yet I have never been able to conquer this ferocious wild beast.