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,…

This is as much as if God hid bound himself a new unto his servant Abram, declaring unto him that he should not need to fear but that which he before heard should be accomplished: and that although the effect thereof was deferred and prolonged a great while, yet must he walk patiently, knowing that God speaketh not in vain: and besides that he hath his times and seasons for the accomplishing of his will. And that it lieth in him and in his secret counsel, and is not to be brought to follow our appetites and humours. But yet we are to note, that God confirmed the faith of Abram by his ancient benefits: For he faith I brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees. And this made Abram to trust a great deal more unto God, whenas he had already found by experience that God was his father and Saviour. For by how much that we have heretofore felt pi the goodness, aide, and help of God, by so much more should we assure our selves of him for the time to come. Thus we see how the experience of the time past should still more and more assure us afterward. And this was the pretence of God in saying, I have brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees: As if he should have said: it is not now only that I have showed my self to be thy God, but thou hast felt that I have upholden thee with a mighty & outstretched arm: ⟨p. 211⟩thou wert utterly cast away, and a poor damned soul; and yet did I take thee unto my self, to the end to save thee. And therefore sith I have plucked thee out of the bottomless pit of hell, let my grace which thou hast now felt, be an invincible fortress unto thee: and I for my part also will so continue. No we it is certain that we have this general rule also from God, which is, that one grace which he bestoweth on us draweth another with it; For he is never weary: and this is a spring that can never be drawn dry, & therefore let us boldly draw out of it, and we shall be sure to find always more and more to fill us withal.

This is as much as if God hid bound himselfe a newe vnto his seruaunt Abram, declaring vnto him that he should not need to feare but that which he before heard should be accomplished: and that although the effect thereof was deferred and prolonged a great while, yet must hee walke patiently, knowing that God speaketh not in vaine: and besides that hee hath his times and seasons for the accomplishing of his will. And that it lyeth in him and in his secret counsaile, and is not to be brought to follow our appetites and humours. But yet wee are to note, that God confirmed the faith of Abram by his auncient benefites: For hee faith I brought thee out of Ʋr of the Chaldees. And this made Abram to trust a great deale more vnto God, whenas he had already found by experience that God was his father and Sauiour. For by how much that we haue heretofore felt pi the goodnes, aide, and helpe of God, by so much more should we assure our selues of him for the time to come. Thus wee see how the experience of the time past should still more and more assure vs afterwarde. And this was the pretence of God in saying, I haue brought thee out of Ʋr of the Chaldees: As if he should haue saide: it is not now onely that I haue shewed my selfe to bee thy God, but thou hast felt that I haue vpholden thee with a mighty & outstretched arme: