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,…

Thus we see how God disposeth his elect to receive the free righteousness ⟨p. 136⟩which he bestoweth upon them by his Son, which is, that we should repent and amend. And what is the meaning hereof? Forsooth, there must be such a sorrow and grief in us for our sins, as that we must condemn our selves for our wickedness, and be revenged of our selves as S. Paul saith:¹ for he setteth not down only the word Sorrow and Fear, but •aith, that we should have such a vehement desire and zeal, as to be as it were a duenged of our selves, because we are so great enemies unto God: Now although this doctrine is met withal in all the holy scripture: nevertheless, God hath especially or deined his law for that purpose, and therefore it is, why Saint Paul saith,² That it bringeth nothing but wrath. When as we shall throughly weigh and consider that which is spoken, we shall find God to be against us, and cannot come near, without it be to have him armed and thundering against us, & clearly to destroy us. True at is, that the law right well showeth us what it is to live righteously, and to attain thereunto if we were capable thereof, as hereafter shall be more largely handled. It is written in Leviticus, That who soever shall do these things shall live by them: but in the mean while, let us see whether we come any thing near unto that which God commandeth us yea or no? In very deed, we are so arrogant ⟨p. 137⟩and proud, as that the law, until we well understand it, can never be able to convince and conquer all our fond presumption. For we see how Saint Paul, ³who from his youth was trained up and instructed in the law, and a Doctor thereof; yet notwithstanding saith that he still presumed on his virtues, and thought himself to be a very righteous man, because he knew the law, and rested thereon, and utterly contemned the grace of our lord Jesus Christ. And what was the reason? Forsooth, because he looked no further but unto the dead letter and outward show thereof, as when it is said, Thou shalt not kill, in very deed he right well knew that he was no murderer: Afterward it is said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, never any man knew him to be a lecher or whoremaster. Next after: Thou shalt not steal, neither yet was it ever known that he was a thief. And therefore he thought himself to be clear before God.