MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

JOHN CALVIN ON SECOND CORINTHIANS 12:9,10


GRACE: Chapter 12, verse 9--The term grace, here, does not mean here, as it does elsewhere, the favor of God, but by metonymy, the aid of the Holy Spirit, which comes to us from the unmerited favor of God; and it ought to be sufficient for the pious, inasmuch as it is a sure and invincible support against their ever giving way.

WEAK: Chapter 12, verse 10--For when I am weak, that is — “The more deficiency there is in me, so much the more liberally does the Lord, from his strength, supply me with whatever he sees to be needful for me.” For the fortitude of philosophers is nothing else than contumacy, or rather a mad enthusiasm, such as fanatics are accustomed to have. “If a man is desirous to be truly strong, let him not refuse to be at the same time weak Let him,” I say, “be weak in himself that he may be strong in the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:10.)

CLARITY: Should any one object, that Paul speaks here, not of a failure of strength, but of poverty, and other afflictions, I answer, that all these things are exercises for discovering to us our own weakness; for if God had not exercised Paul with such trials, he would never have perceived so clearly his weakness. Hence, he has in view not merely poverty, and hardships of every kind, but also those effects that arise from them, as, for example, a feeling of our own weakness, self-distrust, and humility. (From John Calvin (1509-1564) ; Commentary on 2nd Corinthians; Translated by Calvin Translation Society) emphasis mine, cw

OF THE KIRK (CHURCH)--BY JOHN KNOX

Roman Catholic Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have said: “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe." Many attribute him, under God, for the Reformation in Scotland that changed that country from popery to protestant.

OF THE KIRK AND OF THE NOTES

WHEREBY IT MAY BE DISCERNED

As we believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, so do we most constantly believe that from the beginning there has been, and now is, and to the end of the world shall be, one Kirk; that it is to say, one company and multitude of men, chosen of God, who rightly worship and embrace Him by true faith in Christ Jesus, Who is the only Head of the same Kirk, His body and spouse; which is catholic, that is, universal, because it con­tains the Elect of all ages, realms, nations, and tongues, be they of the Jews or be they of the Gentiles, who have communion and society with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ through Sanctification of His Holy Spirit. This Kirk is invisible, known only to God ... and comprehends the Elect that be departed, commonly called the Kirk Triumphant, and they that yet live and fight against Satan.

Because Satan from the beginning has labored to deck his pestilent synagogue with the title of the "Kirk of God" ... it is a thing most requisite that the true Kirk be discerned from the unclean synagogues, by clear and perfect Notes. The notes, signs, and assured tokens, we affirm, are neither Antiquity, Title usurped, Lineal descent, Place appointed, nor multitude of men approving an error. The Notes therefore of the true Kirk ... we avow to be: — first, the true Preaching of God's Word, in which God has revealed Himself unto us, as the writings of the Prophets and Apostles do declare. Secondly, the right administration of the Sacraments of Christ Jesus, which must be annexed unto the Word and promise of God, to seal and confirm the same in our hearts. Last, Ecclesiastical Discipline uprightly ministered, as God's Word prescribes, whereby vice is repressed, and virtue nourished. Wheresoever then these Notes are seen, and of any time continue (be the number never so few, about two or three), there, without all doubt, is the true Kirk of Christ; Who, accord­ing to His promise, is in the midst of them.

John Knox and colleagues, 1560

EXCERPTS FROM ARTICLES 16, 18. THE SCOTS CONFESSION

PURITAN QUOTES

Many of these men were in the Westminster Assembly which developed the Westminster Confession of Faith; one of the clearest statements of doctrinal truth ever written. The later Baptist confessions such as the London Confessions, and the Philadelphia Confession was based on the Westminster Confession of Faith..

“None have engaged against the saints but have been ruined by the God of saints”--Thomas Brooks (1608-1680).

“We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. When man’s terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God”- William Gurnall (1617-1679).

“By the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil: by the fear of man, they run themselves into evil”--John Flavel (1630-1691).

"There are three kinds of lies: a lie told, a lie taught, a lie acted out”--Joseph Caryl (1602-1673).

The Paradox of faith:

“A man cannot have faith without asking; neither can he ask it without faith”--Edward Marbury (about 1590-1658).

All from “A Puritan Golden Treasury”, edited by I.D.E. Thomas; Moody Press,Chicago, 1975; Banner of Truth edition published 1977.