A17696:55
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.
If it behoved then Abram, continually to call upon God, what graces soever he had received, and how honourable soever he was, and yet notwithstanding must always be exercised in prayers and supplications: what then shall become of us that are so far inferior unto him in all these things? Thus then we see, why I have said that our prayers should have respect unto the time to come, seeing we have always need of God his help, to have mercy upon us, and heal us, and more and more to increase his graces in us. And besides, these prayers of ours ⟨p. 59⟩must have regard unto the times past, concerning our giving; of thanks and praises unto him for the same: that is, we must protest that whatsoever good we have cometh from him: and be so contented as that although we should be never so much vexed and grieved: yet must we still rejoice, forsomuch as we have known and proved him to be a father unto us, and hath also showed himself to be such a one in deed, by reason of the benefits which he hath heretofore bestowed upon us. And this is it which we are here to observe. As concerning the words of Melchizedek, BLESSED BE GOD WHICH HATH DELIVERED THINE ENEMIES INTO THINE HAND. The same telleth us that all victory cometh from GOD. And also that Abram through his own industry, prows, and valour, discomfit not the Kings of whom mention is made: but GOD which conducted him. True it is, that Abram surprised his enemies in the night, as we have heard, and he did it because he was no expert man of war: now to what end serveth all this, save only to show that it was GOD which gave him that prosperous success? We see also, that although DAVID had a strong ⟨p. 60⟩and mighty array, and had valiant and renowned soldiers, and himself likewise an expert man of war, besides, that God had made him a king,1 yet he saith: That it was God that had given him the feet of an Hart, that it was he that had advanced him, and so strengthened him, as that he brake in sunder the bars of brass, & that it was he that had overthrown his enemy. David then protesteth that there was nothing in him as of himself that got him all his victories.
If it behoued then Abram, continually to call vpon God, what graces soeuer he had receiued, and how honourable soeuer he was, and yet notwithstanding must alwaies bee exercised in praiers and supplications: what then shall become of vs that are so far inferiour vnto him in all these things? Thus then wee see, why I haue said that our praiers should haue respect vnto the time to come, seeing wee haue alwaies need of God his helpe, to haue mercie vpon vs, and heale vs, and more and more to encrease his graces in vs. And besides, these praiers of ours