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 the Country which I mean to bring thee unto, a Country forsooth which he never knew: and therefore he must be there like a feather cast into the wind, not knowing which way to wind himself. This I say was a grievous temptation to Abraham, when as he must needs go whither God called him, not knowing whither, and yet nevertheless this was as it were his a b c. Thus we see how God beginneth, when as he meaneth to teach in his school. And he was no sooner come into the land, but that he was eftsoons driven out thereof as it were with famine, and his wife also taken from him. And the next time also, we see that he was vexed in every place and could have no rest any where, for there was not any one within all the Country which did not set himself ⟨p. 231⟩against him, and yet he patiently endured and suffered all these things. And yet notwithstanding he did not once murmur against GOD, but endured all the troubles and afflictions that were laid upon him without discouragement: being far unlike unto those that are so delicate and effeminate, as that if GOD deal not with them to their own good liking they will clout it up together, and quite and clean forget their obedience towards his Majesty. And although Abraham was this roughly hand•ed, yet continued he the course he began: But how long suffered he all these trials? he was not only thus dealt withal three or four years together, but was so tumbled and tossed as that when he had passed twenty thirty, and forty years in that Land, he was to begin again to abide worse storms than he had at any time before bidden; as to be enforced to forsake the love of his eldest son, and to be utterly spoiled of him, which was to him more grief and sorrow than a very kind of death it self.

This is the Countrie which I meane to bring thee vnto, a Country forsooth which he neuer knewe: and therefore he must be there like a feather cast into the wind, not knowing which way to winde himselfe. This I say was a grieuous temptation to Abraham, when as he must needs go whither God called him, not knowing whither, and yet neuertheles this was as it were his a b c. Thus we see how God beginneth, when as he meneth to teach in his school. And hee was no sooner come into the lande, but that hee was eftsoones driuen out thereof as it were with famine, and his wife also taken from him. And the next time also, we see that hee was vexed in euery place and could haue no rest any where, for there was not any one within all the Country which did not set himselfe