16th-century Theologian Quotes

John Calvin

Michael Servetus

Jakob Böhme

Jacobus Arminius

Heinrich Bullinger

Richard Hooker

Menno Simons

Whatever man uses without the fear of God, whatever he applies to the mere gratifying of his flesh, cannot fail to operate as a poison to the soul, however pleasant and salutary it may appear to be to the body.

Democracy, I do not conceive that ever God did ordain as a fit government either for church or commonwealth. If the people be governors, who shall be governed?

John Cotton (minister)

Two things, Christian reader, particularly excite the will of man to good. A principle of justice is one, the other the profit we may derive therefrom. All wise men, therefore, agree that justice and profit are the two most powerful inducements to move our wills to any undertaking. Now, though men seek profit more frequently than justice, yet justice is in itself more powerful.

Louis of Granada

It is not necessary that these hypotheses should be true, or even probably; but it is enough if they provide a calculus which fits the observations.

Andreas Osiander

Lofty mountains are most worth of deep study. For everywhere you turn, they present to every sense a multitude of objects to excite and delight the mind. They offer problems to our intellect; they amaze our souls. They remind us of the infinite variety of creation, and offer an unequaled field for the observation of the processes of nature.

This depravation of our nature is nothing else but the blotting out of God's image in us.

Heinrich Bullinger

For men's religion to God is between God and themselves. The king shall not answer for it. Neither may the king be judge between God and man. Let them be heretics, Turks, Jews, or whatsoever, it appertains not to the earthly power to punish them in the least measure. This is made evident to our lord the king by the scriptures.

The Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word.

John Robinson (pastor)

True believing Christians are sheep among wolves.... They employ neither worldly sword nor war, since with them killing is absolutely renounced.

I can neither teach nor live by the faith of others. I must live by my own faith as the Spirit of the Lord has taught me through His Word.

God decreed to save and damn certain particular persons. This decree has its foundation in the foreknowledge of God, by which he knew from all eternity those individuals who would, through his preventing [going before] grace, believe, and, through his subsequent grace would persevere by which foreknowledge, he likewise knew those who would not believe and persevere.

Jacobus Arminius

Since we are all naturally prone to hypocrisy, any empty semblance of righteousness is quite enough to satisfy us instead of righteousness itself.

It is in the lungs, consequently, that the mixture (of the inspired air with the blood) takes place, and it is in the lungs also, not in the heart, that the crimson colour of the blood is acquired.

Michael Servetus

I must tell you, sir, that yesterday the pharisaical devil was let loose, cursed me and my little book, and condemned the book to the fire. He charged me with shocking vices; with being a scorner of both Church and Sacraments, and with getting drunk daily on brandy, wine, and beer; all of which is untrue; while he himself is a drunken man.

For Christ, both God and man, must lay hold on us in order that there may be a union between Him and us.

Martin Chemnitz

There is no greater mindlessness and absurdity than to force conscience and the spirit with external power, when only their creator has authority for them.

God will have the body partake with the soul-as in matters of grief, so in matters of joy; the lanthorn shines in the light of the candle within.

I observe there is in Mr. Hooker no affected language; but a grave, comprehensive, clear manifestation of reason, and that backed with the authority of the Scriptures, the fathers and schoolmen, and with all law both sacred and civil.

Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily.

Francis de Sales