A17696:105
Sermon of Master John Calvin, on the history of Melchizedek Wherein is also handled,…Sermon of Maister Iohn Caluin, on the historie of Melchisedech Wherein is also handled,…
Sermon of Master John Calvin, on the history of Melchizedek Wherein is also handled, Abraham's courage in rescuing his nephew Lot: and his Godliness in paying tithes to Melchizedek. Also, Abraham's faith, in believing God: comprehending four sermons. And, Abraham's obedience, in offering his son Isaac; in three sermons. Translated out of French, by Thomas Stocker, Gent.Sermon of Maister Iohn Caluin, on the historie of Melchisedech Wherein is also handled, Abrahams courage in rescuing his nephew Lot: and his Godliness in paying tithes to Melchisedech. Also, Abrahams faith, in belieuing God: comprehending foure sermons. And, Abrahams obedience, in offering his sonne Isaack; in three sermons. Translated out of French, by Thomas Stocker, Gent.
London: printed by John Windet, 1592London: printed by Iohn Windet, 1592
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 2: THE SECOND SERmon, of Justification.Sermon 2: THE SECOND SERmon, of Iustification.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And on the other side) we shall never be able to serve God with a free affection, without we know that he will be good and merciful unto us, as it is said in the Psalm:1 With thee O Lord is always mercy and plenteous redemption. Now these miserable faithless people who doubt of the will of God, and are never quiet but in great perplexity, without doubt can never serve God courageously, neither will God at any time accept of that they do, for he will have us sacrifice unto him willingly: and S. Paul also saith,2 That he loveth those which deal liberally with him, and come with a free affection. Here then we see that our works how glorious soever they seem to be either in our own eyes or in the eyes of the world▪ are but dung and filth before God, until such time as he hath cleansed us of our sports and uncleanness, and besides hath showed us, what mark he would have us shoot at, & to what we should direct the whole course of our life, that is to say, he would have us honour him, and being once dedicated unto his service, labour to conform our selves fully and wholly unto that righteousness which he hath set before us. Howbeit we will handle this more at large, when as we shall speak of the law: ⟨p. 130⟩but for this present it shall suffice that we understand, that because we are carried with self love, and that, that is not only as it were a wimple to blindfold our eyes, but doth also as it were wholly bewitch us, so as we are become very blockish, and do not once conceive & think of our miseries. And therefore as I have already said, it is meet that God should condemn us by his word.3 And for that cause also doth S. Paul bring in so many testimonies, showing by them that we are all damned. Every one therefore, as I have already said, should have this feeling in himself without any other judge: but because we are so sinful, & so full of dissimulation, and have so many shops and privy closets, to withdraw & put us by from the true & sure knowledge of our sins: therefore must the word of God serve us for a looking glass to behold them in. Now then, seeing that we are of nature perverse, & nothing in us but rebellion and malice, and all our affections & thoughts so many enmities against God as S. Paul saith,