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,…

and therefore they say, that this is but conjectural, for they cannot choose but see, that if we examine our selves, we shall come short in the end, neither can we have that which is requisite for the making up of our accounts before God, to say that we are discharged. But over and besides this conjecture, they have another foolish toy in their heads, which is this, why say they, if it were true that God favoured us to day, it may be that he would not do so to morrow. Now they never think that faith is always accompanied with hope, and that hope extendeth it self both in life & death. And we see also besides, that there is a far greater fault, & that is, they never look unto the last article of death, whereof we will speak (God willing) hereafter. And therefore we will at this time go on with that we have begun, which is, they think to satisfy and appease God, when as they bring with them some recompense for the sins & iniquities which they have committed. Wherein they rob God of his honour: for, if it were so, then he alone were not sufficient to reconcile ⟨p. 178⟩us unto God his father. Now it is not without cause that he is called our ransom: for he made himself our surety upon this condition, that he took upon him to pay our debts fully and wholly. And therefore whosoever will now take upon him to pay GOD, usurpeth the office of Jesus Christ, which is a most abominable abuse. And yet the Papists build their salvation hereon. But for all this they cavil and say, that although our Lord Jesus Christ hath obtained pardon as well for the sin as for the punishment thereof, yet notwithstanding that this is reserved: although they manifestly gainsay themselves. For on the other side they say, that our Lord Jesus Christ hath not merited for us, but is the occasion of merit. Now as I have already said, they will say that we are by nature so ill and so exceeding wicked, as that we can do nothing which God will accept: but say that when Jesus Christ goeth before, he giveth us the occasion of merit, & this they call the first merit, so that they give unto him some little gobbet or small portion, and to our selves the chief.

and therefore they saie, that this is but coniecturall, for they cannot choose but see, that if wee examine our selues, we shal come short in the end, neither can wee haue that which is requisite for the making vp of our accountes before God, to say that we are discharged. But ouer and besides this coniecture, they haue another foolish toye in their heads, which is this, why say they, if it were true that God fououred vs to day, it may be that hee would not doo so to morrow. Now they neuer thinke that faith is alwaies accompanied with hope, and that hope extendeth it selfe both in life & death. And we see also besides, that there is a farre greater fault, & that is, they neuer looke vnto the last article of death, whereof we will speake (God willing) hereafter. And therefore we will at this time go on with that wee haue begun, which is, they thinke to satisfie and appaise God, when as they bring with them some recompence for the sinnes & iniquities which they haue committed. Wherin they robbe God of his honor: for, if it were so, then hee alone were not sufficient to reconcile