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,…

For if the war which he had taken in hand was lawful, that then he might justly reserve to himself, in the judgement of men, whatsoever he had taken: but because he would show that he was not carried away with a covetous desire, and that he took not arms upon him for gain, he said, That he would not have no not so much as one thread of his: and that in saying thus, (To the end thou shouldest not say, that thou hast enriched Abram it is certain that he was not ambitious. As oftentimes, we shall see men of great mind that do willingly desire to enrich themselves with other mens goods: ⟨p. 76⟩but because they fear the shame & reproaches of the world, they will yet for fashions sake, show therein a kind of constancy. Howbeit, Abram did not so: but as I have said, he did it because he would not have the name of God through his occasion be evil spoken of. For it might be said, what I beseech you? This man, for any thing that we can yet see, hath hitherto showed himself to be very simple, and that he worshipped God by himself, and is wonderful devout: he saith that he forsook his country at the commandment of God, and yet he maketh war, robbeth and spoileth, and therefore any man may see that he is no better then a thief. Here we see that under the name of Abram, the name of God had been hazarded unto many slanders. And this is the cause also why he kept himself within compass. Now this is written for our learning. For, in the first place we are to observe this rule, that it is not mough that our consciences be pure before God, but we must also procure (as S. Paul thereof showeth us an example) To be reputed and well thought of amongst our neighbours: And why? because they might not condemn us, by reason they should have this opinion of us that we would do no evil thing, but rather stir them up to well doing. True it is, that we shall never be able to escape the ⟨p. 77⟩bitings and barkings of many dogs: yea and although we were without all blot and blemish, yet will they never leave slandering and evil speaking of us: for the Son of God had his part that way, and all the Prophets and Apostles were also charged with false reports. And therefore (as S Paul saith in another place) we must be always ready to do good, & yet to be evil spoken of, to be wonderfully scoffed at, reproached and injured, for that must be our reward:

For if the warre which hee had taken in hand was lawfull, that then hee might iustly reserue to himselfe, in the iudgement of men, whatsoeuer he had taken: but beause he would shew that hee was not carried away with a couetous desire, and that hee tooke not armes vpon him for gaine, hee said, That he would not haue no not so much as one thread of his: and that in saying thus, (To the end thou shouldest not say, that thou hast enriched Abram it is certaine that hee was not ambitious. As oftentimes, we shall see men of great minde that do willingly desire to enrich themselues with other mens goods: