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 it is so far of for him to be the more confident & bold by reason of those confederates that came with him, as that it was an occasion to make him the more afraid. For they might have alleged and said thus, Why this same stranger goeth about to have all our throats cut. For do we not here see four victorious kings ⟨p. 13⟩which have spoiled Sodom & Gomorrah, and all their neighbour Cities about them, and shall we think to do any good to set upon them? surely in so doing, we shall as it were cast our selves wittingly and willingly away. And therefore Abram seeing himself thus distressed, should in the common opinion of man, rather desist and live in peace. Now at the first sight, it should seem to be a great folly for him to take the war upon him with CCC. and xviii. men, and himself being a silly old man, become their Captain: he that never knew what either war or battle meant, as we have already said, & yet would hazard the casting of himself away so fondly. And therefore we are the more earnestly to observe that which I have already touched: to wit, that God would thereby show him, that when he intended to put his successors in possession of the land, that it was an easy matter for him to do it, by reason of that noble victory which he had given him, a thing not to have been believed, if a man would have judged thereof according to humane reason. Here we see in sum, what we are to learn as touching this point where it is said, That Abram armed his household meiny. We see by this, with what wisdom God endued him, although he had never been trained in the wars, neither yet acquainted ⟨p. 14⟩with any stratagems or warlike policies, whatsoever: and yet notwithstanding we see that he surprised his enemies, charging them suddenly in the night, yea even then when they thought themselves most safe and sure being throughly fraught with good meats & strong drinks: and solacing themselves with the joy of the spoil of Sodom and Gomorrah. Now we know that after such victories there is much riot and filthiness committed. And yet Abram had so much cunning as to surprise his enemies: although in very deed, the former victories which his enemies had obtained, had bin enough greatly to have daunted him. And again, his so sudden and speedy coming must needs bring with it a great to do and tumult: had not God by his holy spirit governed the same.

And it is so far of for him to be the more confident & bold by reason of those confederates that came with him, as that it was an occasion to make him the more afraid. For they might haue alledged and said thus, Why this same stranger goeth about to haue all our throtes cut. For do we not here see four victorious kings