It is preposterous to attempt, by discussion, to rear up a full faith
in Scripture. True, were I called to contend with the craftiest
despisers of God, I trust, though I am not possessed of the highest
ability or eloquence, I should not find it difficult to stop their
obstreperous mouths; I could, without much ado, put down the boastings
which they mutter in corners, were anything to be gained by refuting
their cavils. But although we may maintain the sacred Word of God
against gainsayers, it does not follow that we shall forthwith implant
the certainty which faith requires in their hearts. Profane men think
that religion rests only on opinion, and, therefore, that they may not
believe foolishly, or on slight grounds, desire and insist to have it
proved by reason that Moses and the prophets were divinely inspired. But
I answer,that the testimony of the Spirit is superior to reason. For as
God alone can properly bear witness to his own words, so these words
will not obtain full credit in the hearts of men, until they are sealed
by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, who
spoke by the mouth of the prophets, must penetrate our hearts, in order
to convince us that they faithfully delivered the message with which
they were divinely entrusted. This connection is most aptly expressed by
Isaiah in these words, "My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which
I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of
the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith
the Lord, from henceforth and for ever," (Isa. 59: 21.) Some worthy
persons feel disconcerted, because, while the wicked murmur with
impunity at the Word of God, they have not a clear proof at hand to
silence them, forgetting that the Spirit is called an earnest and seal
to confirm the faith of the godly, for this very reason, that, until he
enlightens their minds, they are tossed to and fro in a sea of doubts.
- John Calvin (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1.7.4)
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