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,…

Here (I say) we see in sum, how that over and besides our persons we are justified also by that we do, that is to say, that God accepteth both of our selves and of our works also as righteous. And let us also see from whence this word Reward whereof the Scripture so often speaketh proceedeth: For God showeth not only in the law, but also in the ⟨p. 191⟩Gospel, that they which serve him faithfully shall not lose their labour, nor be frustrate of their hope. And why so? Verily because their Reward is surely laid up in heaven. But how can this agree with that which we have already said? That is, that if our works justify us, then must faith and the promises (as saint Paul saith) be of none effect. Now we shall see them agree right well together, when as one of them shall depend upon another: But if we shall on the one side put our works in one balance, and the grace of God in another, without doubt we shall find great contrariety. Nevertheless, when as we say e that God hath mercy upon us, because we are sinners: and that when he hath regenerated us by his holy spirit, that he alloweth and liketh of the good which he hath put in us, albeit it be nothing in respect of the ill that remaineth. When we shall speak after this manner, it is as much as if we should say, that first God is merciful unto us, and doth not impute unto us our sins and iniquities, but adopteth us who were lost and damned souls, to be his children. And in the second place, it is said that he justifieth us also by our works, and that because he is merciful and will not judge us rigorously, neither regardeth them what they are, to esteem of them as worthy or meritorious: But dealeth in this behalf as a natural loving father doth. And herein ⟨p. 192⟩in I say,¹ is no repugnancy. And so although our Saviour Jesus Christ saith, that he came to call sinners and not the righteous, and although saint Paul also saith, that he came to call sinners to salvation, and that it is not for any works that we have done, that the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven is prepared for us, but because he is loving and kind unto us, and is disposed to bestow his infinite goodness upon us: and yet for all this receive we reward; that is to say, that when we have served God, we shall be rewarded, as oftentimes it is said in the holy Scripture.