A17696:126
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.
The one is, when as we think to reckon with God hand over head as the Papists do. And although they fail in many things, yet make they themselves believe that he accepteth them. Now God hath promised nothing but to such as shall accomplish the whole law. And therefore let us note well these words: That whosoever shall do all the things written in the law, 1shall live by them: It is not said one part only. Which also agreeth with the saying of Saint James, 2That he which forbade to commit adultery, forbade also to steal. For although a man shall have lived all the days of his life chastely, and yet be guilty of some other precept, he is nevertheless but a damned soul.3 And why so? Forsooth, because that that which God hath coupled together, we must not separate. The righteousness of the law is coupled and united together: and therefore we must not pretend to cut it in pieces & gobbets, nor divide it. Let us now then consider, whether we be able in part or in whole so to acquit our selves, as that the whole course of our life may not be amended. Alas what are we then? And as Solomon saith, who can say I have cleansed mine hart?4 In very deed, there are a great many that think they have, because there are a great many of hypocrites in the world. And therefore that man as I have ⟨p. 163⟩already said, that is at that point, must needs be more then senseless: for if he consider with what a judge he hath to deal withal, how ever it fall out, when as we shall have well bethought us of all the matter, without doubt if we bring with us unto him one ounce or perhaps an half ounce, there will be as a man would say, five times as much found to weigh it down: and when we shall think to pay him with half an ounce, he will find matter enough to condemn us in five times as much. And what shall become of us then? Let us therefore learn rightly to know what we are, that we be not in the end found worse then naught. And let us consider as I have already said, that we can never be saved, except we be assured that we may call upon God as upon our Father. Now besides this first abuse, there is a second, which is, that they that think to be justified by their merits, do never consider that not one of our works is good, when as God will look straitly unto them: