A17696:166
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.
For of what worth is that piece which we give? forsooth of no value. Now, can a potte•• or gallon of wine be worth a great possession or land that is able to enrich three or four men? And yet, be as be may, this earnest penny is destined unto such an use. And therefore this land of Canaan was the inheritance of all the children of Abraham, and of as many as have descended of his line: but yet so, as that it was but an earnest penny for heaven: Insomuch, that the very faithful looked not so much unto that, neither yet set so their minds on it; But settled their cogitations & thoughts a great deal higher. We see then, whether God meant to call Abram, as if he had said; that he did him no wrong in leaving him to languish: Because he was sure that the promises should be performed: & therefore not to stand upon his own wit. And why so?
For of what worth is that piece which wee giue? forsooth of no value. Now, can a potte•• or gallen of wine be worth a great possession or lande that is able to enrich three or fouremen? And yet, be as be may, this earnest pennie is destined vnto such an vse. And therefore this lande of Chanaan was the inheritance of all the children of Abraham, and of as manie as haue descended of his lyne: but yet so, as that it vvas but an earnest penie for heauen: Insomuch, that the verie faithful looked not so much vnto that, neither yet set so their mindes on it; But setled their cogitations & thoughts a great deale higher. VVe see then, vvhether God meant to call Abram, as if he had said; that he did him no vvrong in leauing him to languish: Because he was sure that the promises should be performed: & therfore not to stand vpō his ovvn vvit. And vvhy so?
Because he was to look unto him that spake the word, who was the unchangeable God. Now by reason that we our selves are so changeable as that our minds alter every minute; We therefore grieve and vex, when we see that God performeth not that at the very first, which he hath promised us. And because we see our lives to be so short; and the time we have to live, to be but as a shadow which fleeteth suddenly away; we think that GOD will never come time enough: wherefore we must learn to correct this fault, by these words that we hear here to be spoken to Abram: I am the Lord which changeth not. And besides, we hear what is said in other places: