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,…

Here Moses maketh, as it were, a comparison between the alterations and changes which ran in Abraham his mind, and between the staidness of his Faith, which was so constant and firm, as that he would not change what ever came of it. Here then we see how Abraham was carried too and fro. First he altered his dwelling place; yea, and was driven like chaff before the wind. And yet the case (notwithstanding) was such, that he knew he must needs still continue, firm & constant in God; and his faith to be so soundly and strongly laid, as that nothing should be able to shake it, nor yet once a•ter his person. Thus we see how Abraham still followed that course which God directed him in. And so he worshipped the eternal God, although it seemed that God played with him as with a Tennis Ball, tossing him this way and that. Now it is said, that he dwelt in the Philistines country a long while together . But the words which Moses useth, signify, To dwell as a stranger. And this is a thing well to be noted: For although he was suffered peaceably to dwell there, and was no whit wronged nor violently dealt withal as before time he had been: yet for all that he knew that he was not as yet possessor and owner of this land: and yet it is true, that God had given it him even before he came into it, & had ratified ⟨p. 226⟩the same benefit many time. For so it is, that it was said unto him, Thy seed for four hundredth years shall be a stranger in another land. And therefore Abraham must put this doctrine continually in practise: to wit, to be quiet & at rest, notwithstanding that he be there as a stranger by way of borrowing leave, & must always have one foot lifted up to be going. To be short, he must be like a bird on a bough, as we say. Thus we see why he did homage unto the king of Gerar. For he forsook not the grant which God had made him: but because the time was not yet come for him (to enjoy it, & to take possession thereof: he was therefore contented to live there as a stranger.¹ And we shall see also hereafter why he would buy a burying place for his wife: It was because he was not as yet the owner of one foot of ground, & yet by faith he received that which was given him. Thus we see that his hope extended it self farther than this present life. And yet notwithstanding we see that it is not without cause said, which is written in the 119 Psalm: