God preordained, for his own glory and the display of His attributes of mercy and justice, a part of the human race, without any merit of their own, to eternal salvation, and another part, in just punishment of their sin, to eternal damnation.

— John Calvin

God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us - as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray.

— John Calvin

He regards it as the highest insult for the wicked to boast of His covenant while profaning His sacred Name by their whole lives.

— John Calvin

He who has learned to look to God in everything he does is at the same time diverted from all vain thoughts.

— John Calvin

He who neglects to pray alone and in private, however assiduously he frequents public meetings, there gives his prayers to the wind.

— John Calvin

How do you know yourself to be a son of God in fact as well as in name?” Answer: “Because I am baptized in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” - John Calvin (from his catechism)

— John Calvin

However, many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.

— John Calvin

In a way, the futile excuses many people used to cover their superstitions are demolished. They think it is enough to have some sort of religious fervor, however ridiculous, not realizing that true religion must be according to God's will as the perfect measure; that He can never deny Himself and is no mere spirit form to be changed around according to individual preference.

— John Calvin

Indeed, men who have either quaffed or even tasted the liberal arts penetrate with their aid far more deeply into the secrets of the divine wisdom." - John Calvin

— John Calvin

In forming an estimate of sins, we are often imposed upon by imagining that the more hidden the less heinous they are.

— John Calvin