A17696:124
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 3: THE THIRD SERMON of Justification.Sermon 3: THE THIRD 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.
WE heard yesterday that we must in no case part stakes with God in the matter of our salvation, but all praise must be given to him for it. For when we shall throughly look into whatsoever can be found in us, we must conclude, that we are so void of all integrity, as that there is nothing in us but all corruption, and so consequently, nothing but death.1 Now it is not enough for us to know that God alone is to be glorified, and we our selves as it were to be assured to be of no worth, for if we do not so, without we have shut up the gate of salvation against our selves. For where Saint Paul allegeth out of the Prophet Habakkuk, That we live by faith: we are thereby taught, that faith is as it were the key that openeth unto us the kingdom of heaven. If it be then our inheritance, ⟨p. 159⟩we must needs being the children come thither: and we cannot be the children of God, as Saint John in his first Chapter saith, but by faith.2 Now this faith, as we have already said, importeth a certainty. And see also why it is said, That we may cry with open mouth that God is our Father, and that except he be so, we cannot be reputed to be his children. And from whence cometh this cry? Forsooth, as Saint Paul saith, as well in the eighth to the Romans,3 as also in the fifth to the Galatians, even from the spirit of adoption. And therefore the spirit of GOD doth so certify our spirit that we are his children by adoption, as that we may without scruple or doubt call upon him as our Father. And in another place also it is said,4 That he is called the seal of the inheritance of salvation which we wait and look for. Seeing then it is so, that the certainty of faith importeth that we are gods adopted children, and that our salvation is grounded thereupon, there must also be put to a seal, as a sign and token that it is infallible. Here then we see, that it is not enough for us to confess that God is the author of our salvation, & the same to be attributed to him only: but we must also on the other sides come unto him, & privately call upon him as our father, ⟨p. 160⟩