An Exhortation from John Calvin to Study the Scriptures

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I am slowly working through a book of John Calvin's letters. They are fascinating for many reasons. For starters, they read very differently than his commentaries or more theological works (which makes sense), and as a result, they reveal a different side of him. Sometimes they give insight into his personal life and struggles (like his grief over the death of his wife), and they constantly reveal his pastoral heart. It is also fascinating that there are letters to important dignitaries and kings, while others are written to common folk whom we know little about.

Take, for example, the following letter to a young man whom Calvin had never met, though they had mutual friends. William Rabot was a new believer who had evidently written to Calvin. And Calvin wrote back, exhorting him with good advice for all of us: to remain diligent in studying the Word. He writes, 
"Although we have been unknown to each other by sight, yet since you recognize the Master Christ in my ministry, and submit yourself cheerfully and calmly to His teaching, this is sufficient reason why I should, on the other hand, esteem you as a brother and fellow-disciple. But, as I understand from your letter, that it is not very long since the Lord shed the light of His Gospel on you, I could not give a fitter expression of my love towards you, than by exhorting and encouraging you to daily exercises. For we see sparks of piety immediately disappear which had shone forth on many occasions; because, instead of increasing the flame, they rather extinguish what little light the Spirit of God had enkindled in them, by the empty allurements of the world, or the irregular desires of the flesh. That nothing of this kind may happen to you, you must first of all give devoted submission to the will of the Lord, and in the next place, you must fortify yourself by His sacred doctrines. But as this is too extensive a theme to be embraced in a letter, it is better for you to draw from the fountain-head itself. For if you make a constant study of the word of the Lord, you will be quite able to guide your life to the highest excellence. You have faithful commentaries, which will furnish the best assistance. I wish very much you could find it convenient at some time to pay us a visit; for, I flatter myself, you would never regret the journey. Whatever you do, see that you follow the Lord, and at no time turn aside from the chief end."1

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1. John Calvin, The Letters of John Calvin: With an Introductory Biographical Sketch (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2018), 107-108.

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