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,…

But it altereth not in this behalf, that is, that God always justifieth his freely, that is to say, that he accepteth them, not for any virtues that are in themselves, for there is none at all in them, neither yet for those which he hath bestowed upon them: for they are to be condemned by reason of the infirmity that is in them. But because as Saint Paul saith, That those whom he hath chosen he hath justified. Here then we see in sum, what we are to retain as touching the motion of this question. Now we are to note, that over and besides the thing which the Papists imagine, that we may partly obtain to be righteous, ⟨p. 176⟩and so consequently be pardoned at Gods hand, they are too too grosSecondly deceived, bicaly deceived in their satisfactions, and blind also, I say, in this they are, to think themselves to have certain virtues, which God ought to allow and like of. But in very deed they are ashamed to say that their works do merit, but that they carry some likelihood with them: for, say they, although they do not perfectly merit, yet is it meet that God who is just, should accept of that good which they do. Yea but they are so far blinded in their righteousness, as that they understand not their sins, as we have already said: Again, they are secondly deceived, because they think themselves able to acquit themselves by their satisfactions. I will here forbear to speak what their satisfactions are, because they are most foolish, whereby they do nothing else but provoke the heavy wrath of God against them, thinking to pay him with filthy toys and trifles, to wit, with superstitions devised of their own brain: for what satisfactions can we make, to deliver us from the judgement of God? And what is the committing of one sin worthy of? Truly we think that when we have violated the righteousness of God, and have paid some small portion for it, that we have done enough. Must we not think that Satan wholly possesseth us, ⟨p. 177⟩when as we become thus arrogant? Now this is the greatest part of Popish doctrine, to be pardoned, when as we have deserved rather to be punished. And this proceedeth herehence, because they think they should be justified by their works:

But it altereth not in this behalf, that is, that God alwaies iustifieth his freely, that is to say, that he accepteth them, not for anie vertues that are in thēselues, for there is none at all in them, neither yet for those which he hath bestowed vpon them: for they are to be condemned by reason of the infirmitie that is in them. But because as Saint Paule saith, That those whome hee hath chosen he hath iustified. Here then we see in summe, what we are to retaine as touching the motion of this question. Now we are to note, that ouer and besides the thing which the Papists imagine, that we may partly obtaine to be righteous,