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 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 ⟨p. 262⟩these darknesses he was so enlightened by the spirit of God, as that he had always counsel & discretion accordingly as he had need thereof. We are therefore by his example let to understand, that when we have such great passions as may astonish us, so as we know not which way to turn us; Let us beseech the Lord to direct us. And although our natural senses be confounded: yet that the brightness of the faith which we have may so overcome, as that we may know which way to hold. Now Moses hath here before recited, that God sent yet a far more sharp torture unto his servant Abraham than to any of the rest. For as he was going on the way with his son Isaac, he said unto his father, My father: we must not think that this speech came from Isaac at all a very venture, (•s we say:) But God had determined so to rack the f•ith of Abraham, as if he would have rent his heart in pieces. For, there was nothing in the world that wou•d have so grieved Abraham as these kind and loving words, My father.

Thus we see how the Diuell by these subtle practises goeth about to make vs become dissolute. VVherefore we are to learne, so to apply all our senses vnto God, as that although men neuer so vniustly blame vs, yet let not vs be mooued once to bend or yeeld, but haue an eie alwaies vnto the way that is set before vs. VVe see also what collection we are to make heereof, what a strong faith Abraham had when he was thus qualified, for hee premeditated these things, as if he had been at his ease: For if we be any whit passioned, & then haue a purpose to doo good, yet shall our mindes many times be carryed away, and shal become so blockish, as that wee cannot tell at which end to beginne, nor what order to take. VVe see it in those that are of the greatest magnanimitie, that when they are perplexed, they wil not goe so directly to a matter as otherwise they could. Now Abraham must needs haue a troubled minde amongst all the fantasies which were in his head, as to thinke, surely my Seruants will keepe me from dooing this Act, because they will thinke me to be mad: and in steede of binding my sonne, they will bind me and carry mee backe in spite of my teeth into some house, and there keepe me like a mad and sauáge beast, as if God had vtterly condemned me. Now Abraham foresaw all these thinges. Hereby wee may iudge, that in the middest of