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 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 ⟨p. 273⟩contented, that sith God hath spoken the word, that he knoweth well enough how to compass it. And then let it go as it will: for this is most sure; that all shall go well, so long as he is our guide. And in the mean while, our wisdom and reason must herein give place; and we must be wilfully blind: to wite, we must not be so sharp sighted as these jolly wise worldlings are, which will know all and judge all; even to the controlling of whatsoever God shall do. Neither let us take from him that which is his: But let it suffice us, that we discharge our selves of our duties.

And if I shall put my selfe in daunger to be slaine, I shall be quite and cleane forgotten within three dayes after, and so therby breed offence to a great many others: For many wil say; he might haue escaped this wel inough 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 needelesse persecution set abroch, and what good shall any man get by thrusting himselfe in this manner so forward? Now surely these are verie friuolous allegations. For I pray you tell mee, had not God some meaning when as he both would and also commaunded vs to giue our selues in sacrifice vnto his maiestie for the confession of our faith; and make no reckning of our liues in regarde of honouring of his most holye name? Did not hee right well knowe what would come of it? And shall wee thinke our selues wiser & circumspecter than he? VVherefore it is not without cause (as I haue alreadie said) for vs to retaine this doctrine amongest the rest, where it is saide, My sonne, God will prouide a Sacrifice: For this is as much, as if the holie Ghost should exhort vs, not to be ouerwise (as wee saye) in our owne conceites, and to be ouer-prouident to dispute and saye; which way, I pray you, is it possible that this matter should this come to passe? But let vs be