A17696:238
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,…
Sermon of Master John Calvin, on the history of Melchizedek Wherein is also handled, Abraham's courage in rescuing his nephew Lot: and his Godliness in paying tithes to Melchizedek. Also, Abraham's faith, in believing God: comprehending four sermons. And, Abraham's obedience, in offering his son Isaac; in three sermons. Translated out of French, by Thomas Stocker, Gent.Sermon of Maister Iohn Caluin, on the historie of Melchisedech Wherein is also handled, Abrahams courage in rescuing his nephew Lot: and his Godliness in paying tithes to Melchisedech. Also, Abrahams faith, in belieuing God: comprehending foure sermons. And, Abrahams obedience, in offering his sonne Isaack; in three sermons. Translated out of French, by Thomas Stocker, Gent.
London: printed by John Windet, 1592London: printed by Iohn Windet, 1592
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
yet God commandeth us in general to obey him, in confessing that he is our father and saviour. Our saviour Jesus Christ would have us to bear witness of him,1 even before the most perverse and cruel tyrants of the world: For he would not have us confess him only before such as desire to have his kingdom come; but even before his very enemies, and before the greatest persecutors. Thus we see what confession he requireth at our hands. Nay, but good sir; what will be the end of it? For thus you shall have some fail: what good will my death do?
yet God commaundeth vs in generall to obey him, in confessing that he is our father and sauiour. Our sauiour Iesus Christ would haue vs to beare witnesse of him,1 euen before the most peruerse and cruel tyrants of the world: For he would not haue vs confesse him onely before such as desire to haue his kingdome come; but euen before his verie enimies, and before the greatest persecutors. Thus wee see what confession hee requireth at our handes. Nay, but good syr; what will be the end of it? For thus you shall haue some fay: what good will my death do?
And if I shall put my self in danger to be slain, I shall be quite and clean forgotten within three days after, and so thereby breed offence to a great many others: For many will say; he might have escaped this well enough if he had listed: for we were quiet and all was well: we were not brought in question about any thing: and now (forsooth) there must be a needless persecution set abroach, and what good shall any man get by thrusting himself in this manner so forward? Now surely these are very frivolous allegations. For I pray you tell me, had not God some meaning when as he both would and also commanded us to give our selves in sacrifice unto his majesty for the confession of our faith; and make no reckoning of our lives in regard of honouring of his most holy name? Did not he right well know what would come of it? And shall we think our selves wiser & circumspecter than he? Wherefore it is not without cause (as I have already said) for us to retain this doctrine amongest the rest, where it is said, My son, God will provide a Sacrifice: For this is as much, as if the holy Ghost should exhort us, not to be overwise (as we say) in our own conceits, and to be over-provident to dispute and say; which way, I pray you, is it possible that this matter should this come to pass? But let us be