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,…

Thus we see how the Papists speak daily of us. Now if we be so effeminate, and have such itching ears, as we see a great many that would fain keep themselves in their good reputation; without doubt we shall cunningly daub and smooth over every thing, and so in the end forsake God. Wherefore we are so much the rather rightly to meditate upon this doctrine. To wit, we must not care what reputation we have with men, so that we be approved before God. We may also come to particulars, as if any man shall walk in the simplicity of his heart godly and honestly, ye shall have some fall a scoffing at him, ye shall have other some call him hypocrite, and another sort vvill say, that he doth it for gain.

Thus vve see hovv the Papists speake daily of vs. Novv if vvee be so effeminate, and haue such itching eares, as vve see a great many that vvould faine keepe themselues in their good reputation; vvithout doubt vve shall cunningly davvbe and smooth ouer euery thing, and so in the end forsake God. VVherefore vvee are so much the rather rightly to meditate vppon this doctrine. To vvit, vvee must not care vvhat reputation vve haue vvith men, so that vve be approued before God. VVe may also come to particulars, as if any man shall vvalke in the simplicitie of his heart godly and honestly, yee shall haue some fall a scoffing at him, yee shall haue other some call him hypocrite, and another sort vvill say, that he doth it for gaine.

Thus we see how the Devil by these subtle practises goeth about to make us become dissolute. Wherefore we are to learn, so to apply all our senses unto God, as that although men never so unjustly blame us, yet let not us be moved once to bend or yield, but have an eye always unto the way that is set before us. We see also what collection we are to make hereof, what a strong faith Abraham had when he was thus qualified, for he premeditated these things, as if he had been at his ease: For if we be any whit passioned, & then have a purpose to do good, yet shall our minds many times be carried away, and shall become so blockish, as that we cannot tell at which end to begin, nor what order to take. We see it in those that are of the greatest magnanimity, that when they are perplexed, they will not go so directly to a matter as otherwise they could. Now Abraham must needs have a troubled mind amongst all the fantasies which were in his head, as to think, surely my Servants will keep me from doing this Act, because they will think me to be mad: and in stead of binding my son, they will bind me and carry me back in spite of my teeth into some house, and there keep me like a mad and savage beast, as if God had utterly condemned me. Now Abraham foresaw all these things. Hereby we may judge, that in the middest of