JOHN CALVIN

26
QUESTION 12
JEW: I ask you, it is written that whoever has faith in Jesus, even as great as mustard seeds,
would be able to move a mountain from its place by his word 18 . But we see that the holiest of
them are not able to do even trivial things. How much less is the remaining multitude (able to
work wonders)? But if this is the case, there is in their hands no dominion, no power, by which
they are able to effect anything, although they believe in him.
CALVIN: I ask you, since it is written about Mount Zion, This is my resting place forever and
ever, here I will dwell, because I have chosen it 19 , what is the meaning of the ruin and desolation
of Zion, which has now already lasted for centuries? Again I ask you, what is signified by the
fact that they wretchedly wander, dissipated throughout the whole globe, and lie prostrate in
their ruin, when Isaiah announced that they would be redeemed from the Babylonian exile in
order that they restore the the ruins of the entire world, and gather those dispersed into their
body?
If there were a trace of wit or right thinking amongst these cattle, without dispute they
would recognize that the saying of Christ is most true, in which they hunt for nonsense. As for
their objection, it is to be noted why Christ told this to his disciples, as surely he was
reproaching them and showing that it is by their own fault that they attempt in vain to produce
miracles. What of it, then, if we should confess that by our own sin we are robbed of the gift of
miracles, the gift in which Christ instructed his disciples? Indeed this confession is shameful to
us; but why drag him into accusation, he who is the eternal truth of God, and who, by brilliant
proofs, has shown himself to be truthful in this saying; and why cover our infidelity with empty
excuses, an infidelity which has blocked the path to God's grace? But another thing must be
grasped at once: the faith, about which we are now disputing, is not that common faith which
18 Matthew 17:19
19 Psalm 132:14. See Section III, page 67.