HKB
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Often appears with: religious persecution and toleration · equity, mercy, and pardon · justice as a virtue · counsel and advisers to rulers · unity with the church · superstition and abuse · strasbourg relations · scripture as evidence · scripture and its interpretation · reformation fathers · reconciliation · prayer and worship
Usually: argument (5) · detachment (4) · letter or document (2) · exhortation (2) · skepticism (2) · injustice endured (1) · the test or trial (1) · curiosity (1)
“But it may happen that in some particular case this is simply evil, or useless, or a hindrance to a greater good: and this is essentially contrary to that which is the matter of a vow” Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) · insight
“For faith consists in a knowledge of God and of Christ,(1436) not in reverence for the Church.” Jean Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) · precept
“You deny that you are the Church. But who can suppose otherwise than that you have recommended him on the certificate of the Church? Deny it if you can, that you attested his reconciliation by your letter.” Jean Calvin, Letters of John Calvin, Volume I · insight
“But it is no reason why the Church should forget, that the perpetuation of a thing does not alter the nature of the thing, and that a ceremony to be perpetuated is to be perpetuated as a ceremony.” Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Aids to Reflection; and, The Confessions of an Inqui · insight
Calvin tells the Church to trust God’s ministers who mediate in disputes, cautions against rashly disapproving their essential teachings, and says pastors must be those who actually teach Jesus Christ’s word.
We must also take into account, that those servants of God who exercise the ministry of the word in the neighbouring churches, in order to mediate between the parties in such dangerous contests, have themselves approved of the calling of those men; whose opinions we also have subscribed, since no better method occurred to us by which we could consult your welfare and advantage. That you are well assured of our consci…
From Strasbourg, Calvin apologizes to Farel for earlier ill-temper, explains how Caroli’s reconciliation was mishandled through misleading assurances, and stresses that clemency must be bounded by promises and Church authority.
STRASBOURG, *27th October 1539*. Pardon me, my most amiable brother, for not having written to you since that discontented letter[167] which lately had been forced out of me by my ill-humour in its first fervour. I do not quite remember what I may have written. I am aware, however, that I had not sufficiently softened the expressions, because this single solace of my grief remained, to expostulate with you for havin…
Calvin tells M. de Richebourg that church authority requires action after the Diet ends, and he expects Bucer’s help in deciding in Geneva while reassuring Strasbourg will not neglect them.
You know, however, that in an affair of so great moment, I can take no step whatever without the authority of the Church of which I am a member; but it is their unanimous opinion, that as soon as these meetings of the Diet are over, we should proceed to Geneva. For they think it is desirable that Bucer should accompany me thither, where we may consult together on the spot what is best to be done. I wish that we could…
Aquinas argues that vows can be dispensed with because a vow functions like a personal law aimed at good in most cases, but may be set aside in particular cases where it is harmful or useless.
to another's power contain an implied condition, namely, that they be not annulled by the superior. This condition renders them licit and valid if it be fulfilled, as stated above. Reply Obj. 3: This argument avails in the case of solemn vows which are taken in profession. _______________________ TENTH ARTICLE [II-II, Q. 88, Art. 10] Whether Vows Admit of Dispensation? Objection 1: It would seem that vows are not…
Calvin distinguishes necessary uncertainty during pilgrimage from calling deliberate ignorance “faith,” insisting faith is knowledge of God and Christ rather than reverence for church authority over unknown things.
not sufficient for a man implicitly to credit what he neither understands, nor even examines; but he requires an explicit knowledge of the Divine goodness, in which our righteousness consists. III. I do not deny (such is the ignorance with which we are enveloped) that many things are very obscure to us at present, and will continue to be so, till we shall have cast off the burden of the flesh, and arrived nearer to …
He replies that ceremonies can be scriptural yet still misunderstood, defending the Church’s right to adapt rites to curb superstition, then describes late or death-bed baptism meant to cleanse all sin.
latter--the Water of Repentance, reformation in *conduct*; and the Spirit that which purifies the inmost *principle* of action, as fire purges the metal substantially and not cleansing the surface only! But in this instance, it will be said, the ceremony, the outward and visible sign, is a Scripture ordinance. I will not reply, that the Romish priest says the same of the anointing of the sick with oil and the imposi…
Coleridge argues the Bible has personal evidentiary power through the Holy Spirit’s influence, then adds that Christianity cannot stand alone and requires broader patristic and church authorities.
nor on the other hand will I fall under the condemnation of them that would *lie for God*, but seek as I may, be thankful for what I have--and wait. With such purposes, with such feelings, have I perused the books of the Old and New Testaments,--each book as a whole, and also as an integral part. And need I say that I have met every where more or less copious sources of truth, and power, and purifying impulses;--tha…