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 all consideration of our works must needs be excluded, or the calling upon God with true ⟨p. 201⟩confidence, to be taken for his children, to hope for the inheritance of the heavenly life which is promised us, works must needs be laid aside; for what were it if works justified. Now this word Justify is not taken in saint James to be approved before God, to reconcile us unto him, and to make him receive us as his children . Howe is it then taken? Even as himself declareth it without any other exposition. For he addeth that Abram was justified when he went about to offer up in sacrifice his son Isaac. Now we never yet read that he sacrificed him, to wit, that he meant to make a sacrifice of his son unto God: what meant he then? Forsooth this, obedience, whereof we shall hereafter speak, was it that justified Abram. If we did speak of the approving of that which he had at that time done, and was yet not indeed done: We must therefore conclude that saint James speaketh not in that place, how we are acceptable unto God; but how we are made righteous. For what a blockish speech were this to say that the Son had begotten the Father. Now we right well know that faith is the mother of righteousness, that is to say, that it is the mean and instrument by which we are reconciled unto God, and allowed for his children. And therefore faith must go before righteousness: for it is the mean cause, the instrumental ⟨p. 202⟩or formal cause as we call it.

And therefore all consideration of our vvorkes must needes bee excluded, or the calling vpon God vvith true ⟨p. 201⟩confidence, to bee taken for his children, to hope for the inheritance of the heauenly life vvhich is promised vs, vvorks must needes be laid aside; for vvhat vvere it if vvorks iustified. Novv this vvorde Iustifie is not taken in saint Iames to be approoued before God, to reconcile vs vnto him, and to make him receiue vs as his children . Hovve is it then taken? Euen as himself declareth it vvithout any other exposition. For he addeth that Abram vvas iustified vvhen hee vvent about to offer vp in sacrifice his sonne Isahack. Novv vvee neuer yet read that he sacrificed him, to vvit, that he meant to make a sacrifice of his sonne vnto God: vvhat meant hee then? Forsooth this, obedience, vvhereof vvee shall hereafter speake, vvas it that iustified Abram. If vvee did speake of the approouing of that vvhich he had at that time done, and vvas yet not indeede done: VVee must therefore conclude that saint Iames speaketh not in that place, hovv vvee are acceptable vnto God; but how vve are made righteous. For vvhat a blockish speech vvere this to say that the sonne had begotten the Father. Novv vvee right vvell knovv that faith is the mother of righteousnes, that is to say, that it is the meane and instrument by vvhich vve are reconciled vnto God, and allovved for his children. And therefore faith must go before righteousnes: for it is the meane cause, the instrumentall