A17696:149
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 4: THE FOURTH Sermon of Justification.Sermon 4: THE FOVRTH 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.
Let us now come unto the words of Saint James, who seemeth to be contrary unto S. Paul and all the rest of the holy Scriptures, as we have already spoken:1 For Saint James saith, That we are not justified by faith, but by works. A man would think that there could not be found two places more contrary one ⟨p. 196⟩to the other, as to say, That we are justified by faith only, without works, and that we are justified by works, and not by faith, and yet notwithstanding it is most certain that S. James, who spake by the spirit of God, gainsaid not the doctrine which was preached and published from the beginning in the Church, ratified by the Prophets, and which hath been lastly more notably confirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by his Apostles. Howbeit the solution is very easy, when as we shall look into the drift and meaning of S. James: For he reasoneth not there what true faith may do, neither doeth he speak at all of true faith, but of a counterfeit faith, and such as is but like unto an image and an illusion. For he reasoneth there against such as under the colour of Christianity will take liberty to do all wickedness, as at this day there are too too many. And besides, the devil doth so bestir himself to blind us, as he would make us believe that all our sins are forgiven us, and so under the name of Christianity would make us become very brutish, and thereby pervert all. And to bring also the doctrine of the Gospel & professors into a slander, to the end also it might be thought, that the doctrine of the Gospel did overthrow good works, & would not have us worship and serve God, as the Papists at this day despitefully reproach ⟨p. 197⟩us therewithal. Wherefore S. James seeing many dissolute and profane people thus falsely abuse the name of the Gospel, and pretended the name Faith: He saith, well, Let me see thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works: whereby he sufficiently showeth, that his meaning was not to speak of such a faith as we have defined: that is; that we should be certain and sure of the goodness of God by his word, and know him to be our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now S. James speaketh not of such a faith as this is; and that which is not such a one, cannot bring forth works. We have already said; that by faith we receive the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.