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,…

And this is a part of that whereof he speaketh: That we must refer all things whatsoever which may any way trouble us▪ and whereof we can find no reason for it, unto the providence of God. And therefore we are a great deal the more to meditate upon this doctrine. For whensoever, and how often so ever there shall arise fantasies in our heads to pull us back and cool us, not to do that which God commandeth us, let this always be our shield and defence: God will provide; But as how? It seemeth many times that that which God commandeth us, bringeth therewith great inconveniences. And this is the cursed wisdom of man that is the greatest enemy unto faith, and which hath always borne the mightiest sway. For, we see that God commandeth Kings, Princes, & Magistrates to look that he be honoured, & his service purely & sincerely maintained. Now hereupon we shall have men consider thus & thus with them selves, and say, why? the world is now grown to be so wicked & perverse, as there is no dealing with it: and if we should go on this course, all the world would rail and cry out on us. And besides; if this straight dealing should be used, it will never come to good. For we see that it is not so easy a matter to manage and govern men: There will come troubles of it. And again, ⟨p. 269⟩if they perceive things somewhat hard to be brought to pass; then must there be some qualification, or else there will be no good done in it. Thus we see (I say) with what temptations they shall be solicited which go about to oppose them selves unto any wickedness. Now what cometh hereof in the end? Surely, most commonly, that they which seem to be most circumspect & wise, and think to see farthest into this gear; will so speak and deal, as that they will prove neither fish nor flesh, as we say: And so by this means, God is quite and clean shut out of the doors. For, first this mischief cometh of it; we obey him not soundly & roundly as we should: And besides, we rob him of that honour that belongeth unto him. For, if any man shall say: O such a matter may fall out if you so deal. What? is God dead? Hath not he foreseen for all the inconveniences that might come to pass? And if any man shall say; this gear must not go on this sort: for then such a mischief will follow thereon. Is not this to accuse God of folly? & to rob him of his power?

And this is a part of that whereof he speaketh: That we must referre all things whatsoeuer which may any way trouble vs▪ and whereof we can find no reason for it, vnto the prouidence of God. And therefore wee are a great deale the more to meditate vpon this doctrine. For whensoeuer, and how often so euer there shall arise fantasies in our heads to pull vs backe and coole vs, not to do that which God commaundeth vs, let this alwaies be our shield and defence: God will prouide; But as how? It seemeth many times that that which God commaundeth vs, bringeth therwith great inconueniences. And this is the cursed wisedome of man that is the greatest enimie vnto faith, and which hath alwayes borne the mightiest sway. For, wee see that God commaundeth Kings, Princes, & Magistrates to looke that he be honoured, & his seruice purely & sincerely maintained. Now hereupon we shall haue men consider thus & thus with them selues, and saye, why? the world is now growne to be so wicked & peruerse, as there is no dealing with it: and if we should go on this course, all the world would rayle and crye out on vs. And besides; if this straight dealing should be vsed, it will neuer come to good. For we see that it is not so easie a matter to mannage and gouerne men: There will come troubles of it. And againe,