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,…

So that whosoever they are which challenge to themselves the least righteousness that may be, as if they were aiders and assisters unto God, as the Papists call themselves Cooperators or workers together with God, do without doubt, commit a more detestable ⟨p. 145⟩fault then all the thieves in the world. For what is it to take away from a mortal man gold and silver, and all that he is worth besides, in respect of robbing God of his honour being the chiefest thing that he desireth, to have to be reserved unto himself? which is this, that he alone is to be acknowledged righteous: and then when miserable mortal creatures, or rather crawling vermin on the earth, who are no better then a most corrupt and filthy thing, shall stand up in Gods steed and say, Thou art not the whole worker of our salvation, but we have holpen thee in it. Is not this most cursed blasphemy, when as we shall presume to bring with us some portion of righteousness before God? But here we are to remember that which we yesterday handled, that is to say, that this word Justify, importeth not that we are made righteous, that is, that God so reneweth us, as that we are Angels: but it importeth that he accepteth and alloweth of us of his mere goodness, albeit we be miserable sinners. And therefore we may here see, how Moses in this place toucheth this word Impute, as if he should have said, that this hangeth upon the free favour of God, and is not be enquired of whether righteousness is in regard of man, or whether he is worthy to be accepted. There is none at all of this meant. But let us be contented ⟨p. 146⟩that God accepteth us for righteous, all though we are no whit so in deed. And here also we see why the righteousness of faith excludeth works: for look what is wanting in us we receive from Jesus Christ. I say not in part, as the Papists ensnare themselves, but we borrow the righteousness of Jesus Christ: because there is not a drop or yet a mite thereof in us. And therefore works must needs be overthrown, when as we seek for righteousness else where. For if there were only one part in Jesus Christ, and another in us, he should not be the whole: & then how should this saying be fulfilled,¹ That the fullness of graces were given to him by the holy Ghost, that he might distribute them unto every one according to measure?