This is an incomplete list of epithets and expressions for mans lowly state that I notice Calvin using in his sermons on Job.
Collection of epithets for men
- "Men are so inclined to vice that they corrupt what is good and change it to evil" (Paraphrased from S2).
- "Pitiable bodies" (S2).
- "Stinking carcasses" (S3).
- "Men always try to use ignorance as an excuse" (S3).
- "Men are completely given over to evil" (S3).
- "...we are so weak that we will never understand God's majesty..." (S4).
- "...because of the darkness within us, scripture will be difficult..." (S4).
- "..dullest dimwits" (S4).
- "...let us fight against our wicked appetites..." (S6).
- "There is nothing more difficult than exercising moderation and restraint." (S7).
- “…arrogant people…are the dumbest of dumb animals.” (S8).
- “…men are rash and malicious…and broadcast their gibberish randomly.” (S8).
- “We could possess all the virtues in the world…but it would nonetheless be the filth and pollution of all our lives in God’s sight…” (S8).
- “Our enemy is already inside of us.” (S9).
- “men…live in this world in corruptible flesh.” (S17).
- “what else are these bodies of ours but hovels? We live in graves, to tell the truth.” (S17).
- “…dumb animals…” (four times in S17).
- “We are unbelievably dull-witted, like those who are scarcely different from oxen and donkeys.” (S23).
- “We must realize that we are pitiable creatures…” (S23).
- “Because of our weaknesses, there is no limit to our offenses.” (S24).
- “Everytime we experience some misfortune…we babble on pointlessly.” (S24).
- “…men are inconstant and barrel ahead heedlessly…” (S26).
- “Men say contradictory things.” (S26).
- “We spend most of our lives yielding to self-indulgence”. (S27).
- “…for man, when he is born, brings with him so many miseries and so many needs that he is to be pitied.” (S27).
- “Alas, Lord, what am I but putrefaction?” (S28).
- “…we are immeasurably wretched…”. (S28).
- “If we consider what man is in himself, we see such a pitiable creature that we think God is not obliged to have any respect for him or even lay his eyes upon him.” (S29).
- “They spend all their time looking for clever ways to excuse their faults and iniquities.” (S30).
- “There is not one of us who cannot complain and elaborate his sorrows.” (S32).
- “But men have an insatiable desire, for we are like bottomless pits that the entire world can’t satisfy.” (S32).
- “…we who are rotting carcasses, so to speak, without a flicker of life remaining in us…”. (S32).
- “…we drink in sin as a fish takes in water…” (S37).
- “And how is it that men level their horns and think they can come with their heads lifted before God, presenting themselves like shameless whores? They are filled with contagion and filth but still preach their merits.” (S38).
- “We are only mud and rubbish I aid and out.” (S39).
- “ …hypocrisy is so ludicrous in men that we have to be amazed that God is as patient as he is in tolerating them as long as he does.” (S40).
- “Every single one of our thoughts is wicked and worthy of condemnation.” (S40).
- “Now it is man’s lot that he will not cease to displease God as long as he is in the world. I say that if we consider the most virtuous man there is, we can always find some fault in him.” (S41).
- “…satans captives…” (S41).
- “…even though a man has contempt for himself and despises his life, he does not know a hundredth part of the evil that is in him.” (S42).
- “Men can do nothing whatsoever, for they are prisoners of evil.” (S50).
- “…for there is not a single piece of good in us that is not given to us from above.” (S51).
- "When we come into this world we are already God's enemies. Evil intent and rebellion are already within us." (S53).
- “We are but pitiable rotting carcasses.” (S56).
- “But we are so stupid that we think we wise while we are only foolish and vain.” (S58).
- “…we strut to the point of breaking our legs.” (S58).
- “Just as a fish takes in water, so are men steeped in sin and iniquity.” (S58).
Some Metaphors/Rhetorical Tools
Sermon 2. Small boat / Big ship. Calvin paints the picture of a small boat on a small river is not in the same amount of danger as a big ship in the middle of the sea. He uses this to illustrate that it is easier for the poor man (small boat, small river) to serve Go in innocence, than the rich man (big ship, sea).
Sermon 4. When we see vices are like bad air, let us get out of there.
Sermon 6. Small workshop / Big workshop. Calvin uses the comparison of a small and large workshop to describe the difference in work that can be performed on an ungifted versus gifted man. For a gifted, strengthened, or outstanding man much work can be done as a big project in a large shop.
Sermon 7. We are so slow in coming to God that he has to subpoena us to show his authority over us, the way a prince does when he sees a vassal who is lax in doing his duty.
Sermon 8. In regard to God’s “deal” with the devil, Calvin likens it to the relationship between a judge and an executioner. “Is it the office of the judge to give the executioner leave to do what he would like?” When the judge hears a case and passes sentence they don’t say to the prison warden (executioner) have at it, do whatever you want to this person. No, there is a specific sentence that the warden is bound to administer.
Sermon 12. In regard to how present afflictions bind us: “If it is summertime… he would wish for a freeze. If it is wintertime, he thinks the cost of heat would not be too great.”
Sermon 12. In regard to having received biblical instruction but being indifferent or not reflective: “It is like the man who was well equipped with a corpse let, a helmet, a sword and shield, which he hung on a wall, where he let his arms rust, and his sword stuck in its sheath when he needed it.”