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,…

Now Abraham knew this well enough, and this is a circumstance which we are to note, to wite, that seeing he understood the infamy and reproach that would light upon him, and that every man would think it was done rather like a frantic man, than a service which could any way please GOD: sith, (I say) he understood this, and yet cared not how ignominiously men would judge of him in committing a fault clean against nature, and such an enormous and detestable cruelty as could not be a greater, and yet would not desist from the pursuing thereof: Let us learn after his example, that although all the world should find fault with us, and spit in our faces, and be condemned, where we should be commended for our true serving of God, yet let not us at any hand cease to obey and do whatsoever he commandeth. For, if this ⟨p. 259⟩constancy be not in us, without doubt, we serve our own ambition; and so shall have our reward as our Saviour Christ saith: That when we shall look after the praises of men, in saying that all that we do is well done, and we well pleased to be here so commended: Let us look to have no part in heaven, because we have had overmuch regard unto the world. But if we shall have this patience in us; as that although men turn unto the worst whatsoever we do in the obeying of God, and yet we go on that good course which we began without pulling our heads out of the choler; Then shall we be sure to find our reward in heaven. Thus we see how we should show our selves in truth, that it is God unto whom we go about to approve our selves.

Novv Abraham knevv this vvell inough, and this is a circumstance vvhich vvee are to note, to vvite, that seeing he vnderstoode the infamie and reproch that vvould light vppon him, and that euery man vvould thinke it vvas done rather like a franticke man, than a seruice vvhich could any vvay please GOD: sith, (I say) he vnderstoode this, and yet cared not hovv ignominiously men vvould iudge of him in committing a fault cleane against nature, and such an enormious and detestable cruelty as could not bee a greater, and yet vvould not desist from the pursuing thereof: Let vs learne after his example, that although all the vvorld should find fault vvith vs, and spit in our faces, and be condemned, vvhere vve should be commended for our true seruing of God, yet let not vs at any hande cease to obay and doo whatsoeuer hee commaundeth. For, if this ⟨p. 259⟩