A selection of writings by one of the leading figures in the Protestant Reformation offers excerpts from his sermons, commentaries, tracts, and letters that address such topics as his belief in universal education for both boys and girls, the sanctity and freedom of individual conscience, and his theology of the "elect." Original. 15,000 first printing. About the Vintage Spiritual Classics vii John F. Thornton Susan B. Varenne Preface to the Vintage Spiritual Classics Edition ix Marilynne Robinson Chronology of the Life of John Calvin xxix A Note on the Texts 2(1) From the Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543) 3(38) From the Institutes of the Christian Religion 41(120) Of the Knowledge of God the Creator (Book 1, Chapters 1--5) 43(31) The Life of a Christian (Book 3, Chapters 6--10) 74(42) Of Prayer (Book 3, Chapter 20) 116(45) COMMENTARY ON SCRIPTURE 161(164) The Old Testament 163(95) The Author's Preface to the Commentary on the Psalms 163(14) Psalm 16 177(16) Psalm 23 193(9) Psalm 51 202(23) Psalm 90 225(16) Isaiah 55:1--13 241(17) The New Testament 258(67) Matthew 5:1--12 / Luke 6:20--26 (The Beatitudes) 258(11) Matthew 7:1--5 / Mark 4:24 / Luke 6:37--42 (Judge not . . .'') 269(4) Matthew 8:5--13 / Luke 7:1--10 (The Cure of the Centurion's Servant) 273(7) Luke 7:36--50 (The Woman Who Was a Sinner) 280(7) Matthew 27:45--56 / Mark 15:33--41 / Luke 23:44--49 (The Crucifixion) 287(14) Matthew 28:1--7 / Mark 16:1--7 /Luke 24:1--8 (The Women at the Tomb of Jesus) 301(9) John 14:15--18 (``If you love me, keep my commandments.'') 310(3) Romans 1:16--17 (God's Righteousness) 313(4) James 2:14--26 (Faith and Good Works) 317(8) SELECTED PRAYERS AND SERMONS 325(76) Prayers 327(6) Sermon on the Fourth Commandment (Deuteronomy 5:13--15) 333(15) Sermon on the Fifth Commandment (Deuteronomy 5:16) 348(15) The Lord Answers Job (Job 38:1--4) 363(13) When Curse Becomes Blessing (Galatians 3:13--18) 376(13) Sermon on the Doctrine of Election (2 Timothy 1:9, 10) 389(12) The Death of John Calvin 401(14) Suggestions for Further Reading 415