A17696:193
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.
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 s•me 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 ⟨p. 235⟩cold or heat, not able to away with skirmishing, nor to be always in watch and ward: but he that is long used hereunto, shall be far better able to endure these things. Even so must it fare with us, that when the Lord shall have exercised us every manner of way, we shall be so much the more able and ready the better and longer to continue. And although it should seem to us that God dealt very severely with us in laying too great load upon us, yet let not us think our case to be strange. And why so? Because we see here a pattern thereof in our father Abraham unto whom we must be configured. Now as concerning this word tempt, we know what is meant by it when it is attributed unto God: It is not meant that he tempteth us to lead us to do ill, for we are of of our selves thereunto overmuch inclined: And as S. James saith, Every man is tempted of his own concupiscence: