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,…

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:¹ That a thousand years are but as one day with him. And Saint Peter also saith: That in the last days there shall come mockers who shall say: where is the promise of his coming? as though the threatenings & promises of God were of none effect. No, no, (saith he) deceive not your selves: he will accomplish whatsoever he hath spoken, though it be late: For a thousand years with him, are as but one day: And therefore we must look a great deal higher, and know, that sith it is the Lord that hath said it, and never changeth; that he will do that which he hath spoken, but not whenas it pleaseth us; but whenas he knoweth it to be best: first ⟨p. 217⟩for his own glory; and next, for our salvation and good: neither must we be over earnest, nor yet over remiss and slack; but go out of our selves & come unto him, in whom is no inconstancy nor show of change, for he is the Lord. And let us learn thus much: that when he hath once spoken the word, that it is enough; because his word is an infallible trueth.

Because he was to looke vnto him that spake the worde, who was the vnchangeable God. Now by reason that wee our selues are so changeable as that our mindes alter euery minute; VVee therefore grieue and vexe, when we see that God perfourmeth not that at the verie first, which he hath promised vs. And because wee see our liues to be so short; and the time wee haue to liue, to be but as a shadow which fleeteth sodainely away; wee thinke that GOD will neuer come time enough: wherefore wee must learne to correct this fault, by these words that wee heare here to be spoken to Abram: I am the Lorde which changeth not. And besides, wee heare what is said in other places:¹