A17696:157
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.
I am the Lord which brought the out of Ur of the chaldees.
I am the Lord which brought the out of Ʋr of the chaldees.
These words here are inserted for Abram to cause him to eschew all Idolatry and superstition wherein he had been heretofore brought up. For as it is often showed unto us out of the holy Scripture, that we must not worship God confusedly, nor imagine him to be such a one as we think: But we must know what God that is which we must fly unto, and must be separated & distinguished from all the imaginations & devises of mans brain, whereby we so greatly deceive our selves, and are also deceived by Satan. And that is the reason which S. Paul maketh in his Epistle to the Hebrews, the eleventh Chapter and the sixth verse: saying, When we will come unto God, we must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. We cannot come then unto God, except we believe that God is, that is to say: we must not be wavering nor doubtful; but we must be firmly and constantly assured, that that God which created heaven and earth is he who showeth himself unto us, and whose will we know both by the law and Gospel: and not to reason what God is, as the poor heathen have done, who have been so marvellously tormented about it, and have run themselves so far into such a Labyrinth and Maze, as that they could never wind themselves out of it again. But we know that God is manifested unto us ⟨p. 209⟩in that he is beneficial unto us for our salvation. And thus much for the first point. The second is, that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Now this word Rewarder, importeth not that God rendereth that unto us which he oweth us, but that we shall not be frustrate in putting our trust in him. And therefore we must look after what manner we ask him: For if we vvill bring our works with us; that is even to kick against God: so far off is it for us to be united unto him by that means. And saint Paul saith, that when the Jews thought to trust in their works and put their hope of salvation in them, that they hurt and undid themselves: and that was the cause of their break neck instead of going forward. Wherefore if we vvill seek God aright, we must without all doubt cast from us all vain presumption of our own strength: For seeing he hath adopted us of his mere favour and grace, it is most certain, we shall never be accepted of him, except it be because he forgiveth us our sins.