A17696:127
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.
for as I have already said, although we should keep the one half of the law or three parts of it, yet were it all nothing: for we should all be condemned if we failed but in one only point: and yet there is another reason, to wit, we never once came near the accomplishing of the law, either in whole or yet in part. And how so? ⟨p. 164⟩we said yesterday that God judgeth not of our works as we imagine. For he hath his own weights and balance. And how judgeth he them? Forsooth, he looketh whether the heart be pure and clean from all fleshly pollutions. And where shall a man find such an heart? We are ever mashed in a great many of wicked affections, and although they reign not in us, yet can we not be altogether rid of them. Moreover, we shall never find such a zeal in us to glorify God as we should, but that there will be always some infirmity: we may have a good meaning to do well, but yet it shall not be so perfectly done, as that it may stand before his face. Now we do not here speak of this as to say, I think, and I suppose: but we must conclude and say, God hath said so, and God alloweth and liketh of it. And therefore we should be very far of, from deserving any thing before him, nor yet be quiet in conscience: for, over and besides that we fail in many things, and that there is no man but hath always some remorse of conscience, & although we thought to do the best that we possibly might, yet were it altogether halting and lame. Yea and there may be also some infirmity that may pollute even very good works in deed. For was there ever a better work then that of Abram, 1when he was ready to kill his ⟨p. 165⟩own son? And yet notwithstanding, his heart was touched with many sorrows and griefs, which showed his weakness. Thus then we see, that this work was polluted before God, & could not be reputed to be any merit. What shall we say then to that which we do, considering that none of us all but is soon stayed, when as we shall once be spoken unto to go that way. And although we would gladly employ our selves to serve God faithfully, yet go we not so rightly and soundly on as we should, by the hundred part. And must we needs be continually vexed & unquiet? yea verily, & we all know it, without we will be too too blind.
for as I haue already said, although we should keep the one halfe of the lawe or three partes of it, yet were it all nothing: for we should all be condemned if we failed but in one only point: and yet there is another reason, to wit, we neuer once came neare the accomplishyng of the lawe, either in whole or yet in part. And how so?