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,…

& yet notwithstanding, we must as much as in us lieth, not give any occasion to such as hunt after it, but stop their mouths to the end the name of God, as I have already said, be not evil spoken of through our default. Here we see then wherein we are to follow Abram, that is, we must understand that we are looked unto on every side: yea and although we were not, yet we owe this duty unto our neighbours, not to give any offence unto those that are weak: who by us might take any evil example. For let us be assured that there will be always wicked men to seek to accuse us, to pick quarrels against us and defame us: but yet for all this, (as I have already said,) let us be clear aboard and guiltless. For it is the will of God that we should be, as it were, set upon a scaffold, to carry his name and badge, as S. Paul saith to the Philippians, and ⟨p. 78⟩on the other side, shine before the wicked: and although they be froward and perverse people, yet let us walk before them holily and godly: that thereby they may be ashamed, not being able to find any thing in us whereby we may be evil spoken of: and that they may by that means be made more inexcusable, when as they shall see us serve God in integrity of life, and themselves addicted to all fraud, villainies, and such like. Thus we see how we are to put in practise this doctrine. Now, as concerning Abram his act, we see here what a good conscience he had. For if wane be once taken in hand, we think then that it is lawful for us to do what we lust, as it is said in an ancient proverb, That when wars are on foot, then laws cease: although in deed there is policy and law, because it is then more requisite then in the time of peace: and there must be also a kind of superiority, to the end every Captain might be obeyed, that all soldiers might attend upon their Ensign or Colours, that men might not hazard themselves at all adventures, and also be very vigilant to beware of the enemy. And therefore these things which concern the facts of Arms, ought to have rules, laws, and statutes: and yet notwithstanding it is impossible to have any wars without the committing of many ⟨p. 79⟩outrages, And this is it also, why all such as think to draw their swords, ought to fear and tremble as often as they think of the tail and sequel that it draweth after it.

& yet notwithstanding, we must as much as in vs lieth, not giue any occasion to such as hunt after it, but stoppe their mouthes to the end the name of God, as I haue alreadie said, be not euil spoken of through our default. Here we see then wherein we are to follow Abram, that is, wee must vnderstand that we are looked vnto on euery side: yea and although wee were not, yet we owe this duetie vnto our neighbours, not to giue any offence vnto those that are weake: who by vs might take any euill example. For let vs bee assured that there will be alwaies wicked men to seeke to accuse vs, to picke quarrels against vs and defame vs: but yet for all this, (as I haue alreadie sayd,) let vs be cleare aboard and guiltles. For it is the will of God that we should be, as it were, set vppon a scaffold, to carry his name and badge, as S. Paul saith to the Philippians, and