The renewal of mind taking place in recognition is elaborated in
Calvin’s discussion of faith and works. The saints may understand
their own innocence either through comparing themselves with the
sinful, or‘without comparison with others, while they recognize
themselves before God’(dum se coram Deo recognoscunt).^221 In this
self-recognition, their good conscience comforts them. Calvin
explains this idea by saying that when the gifts of God are called to
mind, they are like rays of divine light by which we are illuminated.^222
In the act of self-recognition, the saint (that is, the true believer) sees
himself before God, not because of his own merits but because of the
divine light.
In this manner, self-recognition occurs heteronomously and as a
second-order knowledge. Again, Calvin’s point is reminiscent of
Ficino. Through their reflexive use of the verb, these authors affirm
the option that the inferior party not only gives recognition but also
obtains it in the act of self-recognition. Calvin’s option‘without
comparison’also resembles Luther’s discussion of how theological
righteousness does not emerge from its contrast with wickedness but
from the humble act that commends God.^223
In his discussion of God’s law, Calvin speaks of how we can
‘recognize that God’s benevolence has been set forth for us in the
law’. As the law is no way of salvation, however, sinners need to start
with the recognition of their sins.^224
In spite of his Puritanism, Calvin is interested in how the faithful
recognize divine goodness and love. He says that‘when we acknow-
ledge (agnoscimus) how much Christ loved us, we arefilled with all
the fullness of God’.^225 The saints‘recognize’(recognoscant) God’s
goodness from his gifts.^226 When Augustine speaks of good works,
Calvin claims, he‘would like God to look upon his good deeds only
that, recognizing (recognoscens) the grace of his own call in them, he
mayfinish the work he has begun’.^227 In these passages, the act of
(^221) Inst.3, 14, 18;Inst-E785. se recognoissant/record themselves/sich prüfen.
(^222) Inst.3, 14, 18;Inst-E785.
(^223) Luther, WA 56, 215, 10–14 (In Rom.). Cf. section 2.6, n. 160 in the present
volume.
(^224) Inst. 3, 17, 2;Inst-E 804 – 5. recognoissance, recognoistre/reknowleging,
reknowlege/erkendtnis, gedencken.
(^225) Inst.3, 14, 19;Inst-E786. comprenons/acknowledge/erkennen.
(^226) Inst.3, 14, 20;Inst-E786. recognoissent/reknowlege/erkennen.
(^227) Inst.3, 14, 20;Inst-E787. cognoistre/reknowledging/anschaue.
The Latin Traditions 105