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,…

Now, it is very much that is here spoken of Abraham. Lo here very great and commendable virtues, as when GOD granteth him rest and peace, he doeth not securely sleep therein: for although the king gave him leave to dwell patiently in his Tent, ⟨p. 229⟩yet he acknowledged himself to be but a stranger: and although every man became his friend, and were ready to be at unity with him; yet could he in no wise keep company with them, but had rather have been at utter defiance with them, than he would at any hand have conformed and framed himself to their superstitions and idolatries, and still held his course in truly worshipping of the living God. In all this (as I have already said) he showed very excellent virtues. But Moses addeth another sacrifice which is far greater, and much more exquisite: that is, Abraham was enforced to kill his son, yea even his own only son. Now this was an Obedience unto God beyond all measure surpassing any mans power to perform, although in very deed we ought to be his, both in life and death: But that which is here commanded Abraham to do, is far beyond all the rest. For the matter in question is not only of Abraham his full Obedience towards God, in forsaking himself, and in having his son to be taken from him which was given him, and so to be quite and clean rid of him when as it should please God to take him from him, and to suffer all this patiently. This I say is not the question, but the matter is, that he must kill him with his own hands. Now this is such an hard and strange thing, as that the very hearing of it once spoken off, is ⟨p. 230⟩able to astonish and kill the very heart of any man. It is not then without cause that Moses from the nineteenth Chapter after he had heretofore spoken of the life of Abraham, setteth down this Act,¹ and saith that after these things God again tempted him. Now it was a very great temptation when as God took him from his fathers house: for so the words import, when he said▪ Get thee out of thy fathers house, and from all thy kinsfolks, and from the place where thou wert borne, and I pray you where could he find a better place to dwell in?

Nowe, it is verie much that is here spoken of Abraham. Lo here verie great and commendable vertues, as when GOD graunteth him rest and peace, he doeth not securely sleepe therein: for although the king gaue him leaue to dwel patiently in his Tent,