We must not only judge our neighbours doings by the law, but also examine our own lives by it. And when we find ourselves to have swerved from God's commandments, we must willingly condemn ourselves, and allow no further of our own doings, than they agree with God’s will. Although they seem good to ourselves, yet let us not stand upon that. For our eyes are so troubled and weak, that oftentimes one sin escapes and a hundred follow out after it; and that is because we be not sharp-sighted enough, to spy out the things that God perceives, and which are hid from us. And that is the case why Paul says, that although he had walked purely in his office, yet was he not justified for all that. For God requires another manner of perfection than we can see. So then, seeing we have so weak and dim a light, let us learn to refer ourselves unto God, and let everyone of us put that thing in use in himself, which is showed us by David when he says: Who is he that knoweth his faults? Lord forgive me the evil which I perceive not. We must not only ask God forgiveness of the sins that sting us, and whereof we have proof in ourselves, but we must also acknowledge that we have many sins which we know not of. [John Calvin]
Labels: John Calvin
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