Calvin points out in his commentary on Psalm 18 (vv. 21 – 24) that “whoever, therefore, would desire to persevere in uprightness and integrity of life, let them learn to exercise themselves daily in the study of the Word of God; for, whenever a man despises or neglects instruction, he easily falls into carelessness and stupidity, and all fear of God vanishes from his mind.”
Capacity & Command
Augustine points out in his work On the Spirit and the Letter, that “God does not measure the precepts of his law according to human powers, but where he has commanded what is right, he freely gives his elect the capacity to fulfill it.” (NPNF V. 83 – 114)
The Knowledge of Providence
Calvin points out in his Institutes that “if you pay attention you will easily perceive that ignorance of providence is the ultimate of all miseries; the highest blessedness lies in the knowledge of it.” (Institutes, I. 17. 11)
Proving Ourselves
If we really wish to be reckoned among the number of the children of God, the Holy Spirit teaches us, that we must show ourselves to be such by a holy and an upright life; for it is not enough to serve God by outward ceremonies, unless we also live uprightly, and without doing wrong to our neighbors. (Calvin, Commentary on the Psalms, Psalm 15)
Augustine’s Principle of Providence
Augustine lays down a simple principle for providence. He says, “nothing is more absurd than that anything should happen without God’s ordaining it because it would then happen without a cause.” In other words, God is the cause alone of all things and he maintains all things.
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