A17696:128
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.
Now as I have already said, we must assure our selves that God loveth us, receiveth and accepteth of us, as if we were righteous. And from whom have we this privilege? We must come to that saying of Saint Paul to the Romans:1 which is, we must look upon our lord Jesus Christ. For, when our salvation is spoken of, & then behold the glorious heaven, we are by and by on the one side, astonished and amazed thereat: because we are not worthy once to come near it. And besides, we see on the other sides, hell standing wide open before us to swallow us up, because we are horrible wretched sinners. And then will we say, Who shall ascend into heaven? For it is impossible ⟨p. 169⟩that we should come there: for where are our wings to fly up thither? And besides, as I have already said, hell standeth gaping wide open ready to receive us: if so be that he will give judgement against us: and then we will say, how know we that we are pardoned and forgiven, but that God may very well throw us down headlong into the bottomless pit of hell. Now hereupon Saint Paul answereth and setteth down the remedy, which is this, that we must not doubt, but that heaven is ours. And how shall we be sure of that? Forsooth, because that in the person of Jesus Christ we know it to be set wide open for us. And therefore the asking of this question doubtfully, Who shall ascend into Heaven? Saint Paul saith, Is to fetch Jesus Christ down from thence. For we know that the Son of God hath said, That there are many Mansions in his fathers house, and that he hath not taken them for his own particular benefit, but to the end to receive us together unto himself, as fellow heirs with him. As concerning hell, he descended into it: for he suffered the torments and pains which we should have suffered, he suffered the horrible torments of Gods wrathful curse, which made him cry out and say, My God, mys God, why hast thou forsaken me? Even so then when as we make our salvation ⟨p. 173⟩certain, then we may see that we are assured. And that also is his meaning where he saith,2 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen?
Now as I haue alredie said, we must assure our selues that God loueth vs, receiueth and accepteth of vs, as if we were righteous. And from whome haue we this priuiledge? Wee must come to that saying of Saint Paul to the Romanes: