A17696:192
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.
Three Sermons, beginning at the latter end of the 21 Chapter of Gen… › Sermon 1
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.
So then we have from hence to gather: That Abraham was all his life long tormented both in soul and body: and yet when it was come even to the upcast (as we say) God would needs prove him without all comparison more lively than ever at any time before he had done, so that it had been able to have made him a hundred thousand times to have despaired, had he ⟨p. 234⟩not in most wonderful manner confirmed him therein by his holy spirit.
So then wee haue from hence to gather: That Abraham was all his life long tormented both in soule and bodie: and yet when it was come euē to the vpcast (as we say) God would needs prooue him without all comparison more liuely than euer at any time before he had done, so that it had beene able to haue madehim a hundred thousand times to haue dispaired, had he ⟨p. 234⟩not in most wonderfu• manner confirmed him therein by his holy spirit.
To what end is this matter of Abraham's recited us?1 It is not because we should wonder at his virtue and magnify and commend his so great power and strength: But to the end to learn, not to be over effeminate. And that when it shall please the Lord to exercise us in what sect soever, to be tractable to be led to •im, and to have our affection so tamed as that God only be M•ister over them to rule them, •nd to covenant with us as pleaseth himself. Thus we see what it is that we are here to learn from this place. And so whensoever we have endured any temptation, or have sustained any combat, & that God soon after trieth us, let us not think it any whit strange. For we serve him not with this condition, that after he hath roughly handled us for a day o a year we may by and by be discharged and so crave a passport: But contrariwise to harden us, because God ceaseth not continually to send such proofs to try our faith withal: But the sme should be I say, as an habit unto us: because we see that an old beaten soldier can abide a great deal more pain, than a young fresh water soldier (as we say). For a young Novice knoweth not what it meaneth he vvil be weary with one nights watch, he is not able to abide either