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,…

Well sir, I must needs in truth say, that these are great virtues, but yet they are not always found in us; and yet for all that, this is not the chiefest point. For the principallest point, (as I have already said) is this, that when we serve God, although many sorrows and griefs torment us, although the Devil soundeth us alarms, and lieth in ambush for us, although men grow so perverse and wicked, as ⟨p. 246⟩that one spurreth us here; another striketh us there, and another seeketh our utter destruction: And on the other side, although we hang our wings (as we say,) although we be hungerbit, and altogether blamed & contemned, although all these things fall out for our shares and portion, yet must we so bless the name of God, as that we must mitigate and ease all our anguishes and sufferings, and be ready always to say, O Lord, thy will be done, deal with us as it pleaseth thee, and although this gear should fall out far worse than thus, yet must we receive all things patiently. Now when as we shall grow unto this patience, that (no doubt) is the most principal mark that we must shoot at. And above all things, this history ought a great deal the move be respected and meditated of us, considering that the Lord would show that unto us which we are to comprehend from our father Abraham, to the end we might follow his example. And when as God, (as I have already said) shall have thus framed us, and brought us to this pass, let us dedicate our selves and all that we have unto his Majesty. For it Abraham had not had this ground and principle, without doubt he had never stepped one foot forward, but had rather fled away from God▪ than have come near him: howbeit he had not this principle as from himself, but because it was ⟨p. 247⟩the gift of God, he was not therefore to use it and keep it back as it pleased him: But must make a reckoning of it to him that gave it him, saying, Here am I, as after ward he showed it. For when God called him and said, Abraham: Here am I Lord, (quoth he) This answer showed that Abraham was as it were ready at hand to receive the commandments which God would give him, even as a diligent servant should do. For if his Master goeth forth, he is by and by at his heels, to say, will it please you to have any thing with me?

VVell syr, I must needes in truth say, that these are great vertues, but yet they are not alwaies found in vs; and yet for all that, this is not the chiefest point. For the principallest point, (as I haue already said) is this, that when we serue God, although many sorrowes and griefes torment vs, although the Diuell soundeth vs alarmes, and lyeth in ambush for vs, although men growe so peruerse and wicked, as