A17696:27
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.
Hereby then we see, that it was God which had the direction in this matter, and blessed his servant Abram. True it is, that it had been much better for him not to have gone out of his Tent to the hazarding of him self so dangerously: But it was GOD that stretched out his hand unto him, because he would have him know by experience, his power and aide in the matter. This consequently, greatly profited Abram: For if he had tarried in his house without understanding the like defence of GOD, without all doubt he had never been so rightly confirmed as afterward he was. And therefore we see, that when GOD sendeth us any afflictions, although at the first they be never so hard and grievous, yet for all that, in the end, the issue ⟨p. 16⟩of them is profitable and beneficial to our good.1 For, as S. Paul saith, Patience engendereth trial. To the end we might effectually know, that it is God which hath succoured us: and when we once know that, we might more & more be confirmed to trust in him. And hope never maketh us ashamed: for, whosoever shall have recourse to God, shall never be confounded. And therefore we see, that we can never rest quiet and be peaceable, until such time as God showeth us why he hath afflicted us, and that in the mean while, he maketh us to feel that it is for our good, and so consequently we have occasion to bless him, and call upon him more assuredly. Thus we see what we are here to observe as concerning this point. Now where it is said, that the king of Sodom came unto Abram, he addeth anon after, (that Melchizedek king of Shalem, offered also bread and wine.) And for as much as he was the high Priest of God, that he blessed Abram: and that Abram gave him the tithe of all the spoil. Here we see as notable an history as any is in all the holy scripture, and not only an history, but such a one also as is a lively image to represent our Lord Jesus Christ, as in the 110. Psalm it is written. For, it is not without cause there set down, That God had sworn and would not repent him thereof, ⟨p. 17⟩that he would never break the solemn oath which he had made. That is to say, That Jesus Christ is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. If there were nothing else but the history thereof, we see that Melchizedek is called God his Priest: