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,…

as if he could not restrain any man from going whither he would? and yet notwithstanding, the issue thereof to be both good & prosperous? Even so standeth it with the ministers of the word of God: for, there are a very few of them that can discharge their ⟨p. 270⟩duties. True it is, that they have many vices which hinder them: but this cursed and devilish wisdom reigneth in many, which will not stick to stir up sundry contentions and troubles, and thereupon be carried with every wind, where they may any way corrupt and falsify the doctrine of the Gospel, as at this day are many such. For how are they bewitched, that will deal between Popery & Christianity, but that they think thus and thus with themselves: O, my masters; to change and alter things after this manner, were even to make a new world. O, we may not thus do: for, if we make such an alteration as you speak of? It is twenty to one, that all will come to naught. Thus we fee how we are contented to do all things by halves, and swim between two rivers. By this we see how the doctrine of the word of God is corrupted: and yet notwithstanding (as we have already showed) when as there shall any mischief begin to arise, things will go continually worse and worse, in such fort, as they shall not be able to help it when they would. Now we need not to go so far as to public persons: but to come nearer unto an householder that would set his house in good order; he shall have these imaginations always with him: O, if I do that which God hath ordained me, such a thing may fall ⟨p. 271⟩out thus and thus. Or if a man shall travel for the maintenance of his life, he will consider thus with him self: O, if I deal thus simply & plainly, I shall be like a sheep in the jaws of wolves: for there are such subtle and cunning devises in the world, that the wolves will beguile me: every man will seek to circumvent and entrap me; and if I do not the like what shall become of me? Now, if I make my self either an Ewe or a Weather, out of doubt they will eat the very wool off fro my back. Thus we see What every man thinketh, as if there were no providence of God at all. More over, if the matter should come in question for the giving of our lives, although it be not at this day said to every one of us, Take thy son, yea thine only son Isaac, and kill him;

as if he could not restraine any man from going whither he would? and yet notwithstanding, the issue therof to be both good & prosperous? Euen so standeth it with the ministers of the word of God: for, there are a verie fewe of them that can discharge their