Stéphane Simonnin

"Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them." (Psalm 111.2)

"The wet bags (i.e. feeble excuses) with which we are wont to cover ourselves before men will not bear the heat of God's judgment." John Calvin to Louis du Tillet (31st January 1538)

Calvin answering his friend Louis Du Tillet who remained faithful to Rome and questioned Calvin's judgment in embracing the Reformed faith. Calvin alludes to his friend Courault, ex-Augustinian monk converted to the Reformation who had recently died. (Letter 20th October 1538)

Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever. Psalm 48.12-14

"Letter to all those who love Christ" is Calvin's first printed work in French (preface to Olivetan NT, 1535) In the Latin (& later French) translations, the title is "Preface showing that Christ is the end of the law" In many ways, the Reformation central issue is hermeneutics

"We have not those affections to virtue as we have to vice. Are not our lives for the most part voluntarily ridiculous? Had we a full use of reason, we should judge them so." Stephen Charnock (The necessity of regeneration 3:18)

William Gurnall on how faith and hope encourage the Christian in different ways.

Thomas Cranmer's last letter from prison before his execution was to his dear friend Pietro Martire Vermigli, the great Italian reformer. "I have written to no one but you..." The scan is not great but it is a moving letter (Archbishop Cranmer's Works)

"... unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” These words contain the foundation of all practical religion here, and happiness hereafter. It is the principal doctrine Christ, as a prophet, came to teach, and as a king to work in the heart. Stephen Charnock

A great resource to share as we come to Reformation Sunday. youtube.com/watch?v=bkI5fG03…

Don't just read about Tyndale, don't just read the Tyndale Bible, read Tyndale... banneroftruth.org/uk/store/c…

"Christ is our Redeemer, Deliverer, Reconciler, Mediator, Intercessor, Advocate, Attorney, Solicitor, our Hope, Comfort, Shield, Protection, Defender, Strength, Health, Satisfaction and Salvation." William Tyndale (Pathway into the Holy Scripture)

John of Damascus getting lyrical about his love for Scripture. This is quite amazing. The Church Fathers got many things wrong but no-one can doubt their great love for Scripture! (Orthodox Faith, IV.17)

"Just as the tree planted by streams of waters, so also the soul watered by the divine Scripture is fed and gives fruit in its season, that is orthodox belief, and is adorned with evergreen leafage, I mean, actions pleasing to God." John of Damascus (Orthodox Faith IV.17)

Heard a sermon on Gal. 4.1-7 and I just wanted to reiterate that (a) 'Abba' doesn't mean daddy and (b) 'he sent his Son' in the aorist doesn't mean the Son was sent once & for all. The aorist tense doesn't mean 'once & for all' but a simple, undefined, past action.

"The doctrine of adoption is not only important in a positive way as setting forth the apex of redemptive grace and privilege, but it is also important negatively in that it corrects the widespread notion of the universal fatherhood of God..." John Murray (2.233)

"None but God could have shed the blood that Jesus poured out... Redemption is glorious not because God achieves it, but because none but God could achieve it." James Henley Thornwell (Necessity & nature of Christianity, 2:88)