A17696:215
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.
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.
Now it might stand at the first sight, that that which he did, had no good found foundation of a true and lively faith, because faith hath respect to the promises. And yet (as I have already said) Abraham could look for nothing but by Isaac his means: Because it is said, That in Christ Jesus all the promises of God are most sure,1 and yea, and Amen. For our Saviour Jesus Christ must come of the stock of Isaac, and that was in very deed the seed which was promised him. How then could Abraham be contented to have his son to die, and yet to have the promises of God to stand in full strength power and virtue? Now the Apostle saith, That by faith, Abraham offered his son Isaac. 2So that by this we are let to understand that Abraham (fall out as it would) rested wholly upon the word and promise of God: and as for the contrariety which may seem to be between the commandment and the promise: The Apostle answereth,3 That he believed that God was as able to raise seed out of the ashes of Isaac, as he was able to perform his former promises. Now this is a profitable point for us, if we understand it aright: For we are hereby admonished so to believe in God, as that we look further than unto the world, and whatsoever else we are able to perceive and comprehend by our natural reason and understanding. For if faith staid ⟨p. 253⟩it self upon that which we see, it Were nothing. And then were the power of God marvellously diminished. Moreover, we are to consider of the words of the Apostle, saying in this manner, Faith is the ground of things hoped for, 4and the evidence of things not seen: Agreeing with the words of the Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans, saying, We hope not for the things which we see, 5but for the things we see not: yea, even for things that seem to be impossible. Sith then it is so that the promises of God do not set before our eyes that which is contained in them: we must (as I have already said) when we speak of faith look further than unto the world. And how is that? To wit, we must not measure the infinite power of God with the means which are set before us, and as we comprehend them.