Institutes 3.14.19 — THE BEGINNING OF JUSTIFICATION. IN WHAT SENSE PROGRESSIVE.

**THE BEGINNING OF JUSTIFICATION. IN WHAT SENSE PROGRESSIVE.**

When believers therefore feel their faith strengthened by a consciousness of integrity, and entertain sentiments of exultation, it is just because the fruits of their calling convince them that the Lord has admitted them to a place among his children. Accordingly, when Solomon says, “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence,” ( Prov. 14:26 ), and when the saints sometimes beseech the Lord to hear them, because they walked before his face in simplicity and integrity ( Gen. 24:10 ; 2 Kings 20:3 ), these expressions apply not to laying the foundation of a firm conscience, but are of force only when taken a posteriori . Latin, “a posteriori;” French, “comme enseigne de la vocation de Dieu;”—as a sign of the calling of God.

Source

• source-manifest/institutes — Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, tr. Beveridge 1845 (PD)
• evidence_grade: D_doctrinal_textbook