Calvin in his work on Reforming the Church says of good works: “the merit of works is a fatal intoxication of the soul.” (Tracts and Letters, Vol. 1, p. 135)
Calvin’s Confession
I love Calvin’s statements to Sadolet regarding true faith and the burdens of his past life under the Roman Church. (See Vol. 1, Tracts and Letters, p.61, 62)
“Thou, O Lord, knowest, and the fact itself has testified to men, that the only thing I asked was, that all controversies should be decided by thy word, that thus both parties might unite with one mind to establish thy kingdom; and I declined not to restore peace to the Church at the expense of my head, if I were found to have been unnecessarily the cause of tumult. But what did our opponents? Did they not instantly, and like madmen, fly to fires, swords, and gibbets? Did they not decide that their only security was in arms and cruelty? Did they not instigate all ranks to the same fury? Did they not spurn at all methods of pacification? To this it is owing that a matter, which might at one time have been settled amicably, has blazed into such a contest. But although, amidst the great confusion, the judgments of men were various, I am freed from all fear, now that we stand at thy tribunal, where equity, combined with truth, cannot but decide in favor of innocence.” [Read more…]
The Secret
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.”
From Psalm 17
“When clothed in righteousness at last,
Thy glorious face I see,
When all this weary night is past,
And I awake with Thee,
To view the glories that abide,
Then – how I shall be satisfied”