Collect for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive
that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let the readers therefore remember, that we are not here disputing whether it is necessary to baptize infants, nor calling in question whether by baptism they are ingrafted into the body of Christ, nor whether it is to them a laver of regeneration, nor whether it seals the pardon of their sins. The only question is the absolute necessity of Baptism.

-- John Calvin, The True Method of Reforming the Church

We, too, acknowledge that the use of Baptism is necessary--that no one may omit it from either neglect or contempt. In this way we by no means make it free [that is, optional]. And not only do we strictly bind the faithful to the observance of it, but we also maintain that it is the ordinary instrument of God in washing and renewing us; in short, in communicating to us salvation. The only exception we make is, that the hand of God must not be tied down to the instrument. He may of himself accomplish salvation. For when an opportunity for Baptism is wanting, the promise of God alone is amply sufficient.

-- John Calvin, Antidote to the Council of Trent, 7.5

Paul, therefore, that children may be more willing to obey their parents, reminds us that this "is the first commandment with promise," (Eph. 6:2;).... The reward, that the days of children who have behaved themselves piously to their parents shall be prolonged, aptly corresponds with the observance of the commandment, since in this manner God gives us a proof of His favor in this life, when we have been grateful to those to whom we are indebted for it; whilst it is by no means just that they should greatly prolong their life who despise those progenitors by whom they have been brought into it.

-- John Calvin, Commentary on Exodus [20:12]

> Be me
> Be the most loved English Bible for centuries
> Legacy forgotten today
> Contain epicly based notes
> Be preferred version of Puritans
> Be the mandated Bible of Scotland
> Be translated under the influence of Knox, Calvin, and Coverdale
> Be the first English Bible to be read in the New World
> Get banned by papist simps
> Be the Geneva Bible
> Pic unrelated

We must realize that at whatever time we are baptized, we are once for all washed and purged for our whole life. Therefore, as often as we fall away, we ought to recall the memory of our baptism and fortify our mind with it, that we may always be sure and confident of the forgiveness of sins.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.3

The proclivity to pit "fairness" against Divine Sovereignty is one of the clearest demonstrations of total depravity. We'd rather make God look inept that surrender our sovereignty.

"Catholics for Choice" is just as representative of Romanism as charismatics are of Protestantism.

There is just as much disunity within Rome as on the other side of the Tiber; perhaps more, since there's only one organization they're all fighting to control.

As always, pray for reformation and the repentance of our Roman brothers.

Therefore, there is no doubt that all pious folk throughout life, whenever they are troubled by a consciousness of their faults, may venture to remind themselves of their baptism, that from it they may be confirmed in assurance of that sole and perpetual cleansing which we have in Christ’s blood.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.4

The Calvin-posting will continue until theology improves.

Collect for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.  

I know it is a common belief that forgiveness, which at our first regeneration we receive by baptism alone, is after baptism procured by means of penitence and the keys. But those who entertain this fiction err from not considering that the power of the keys, of which they speak, so depends on baptism, that it ought not on any account to be separated from it. The sinner receives forgiveness by the ministry of the Church; in other words, not without the preaching of the gospel. And of what nature is this preaching? That we are washed from our sins by the blood of Christ. And what is the sign and evidence of that washing if it be not baptism? We see, then, that that forgiveness has reference to baptism. This error had its origin in the fictitious sacrament of penance, on which I have already touched.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.4