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,…

howbeit we are so blockish and dull, as that we had great need to have some helps to put us in mind, and therewithal to make us tremble before his majesty when we swear, & therefore we see why in all ages men were wont to lift up their hands, and that by God his own conduction. And men lifted up their hands in a solemn oath, even as we do when we pray. For, when we lift up our hands, it is as much as if we besought God to come down from heaven to help us: not that he changeth his place, but that he so spreadeth forth his power as that we may feel him to be present in granting our petitions. Thus we see how by ceremony and our outward gesture, we show that our prayers conjoin us unto God, and that by them we enter heaven through faith, and that God for his part, descendeth unto us, to show himself to be at hand. Even so also it is said of an oath, ⟨p. 85⟩when as we lift up our hands, that is, as if we should say: I call God to witness, and that I am here before him when as I speak: that if I deal deceitfully, it is as much as if I stained and violated his majesty. Now we see the meaning of these words. And let us here note, that the oath of the faithful, ought to be rightly weighed, two or three times: for they that use it, in taking the name of God also upon every light occasion of speech, show themselves to be contemners thereof. For, if we reverenced the name of God as it deserveth, without doubt we would not so vainly toss it up and down, as men use to toss Tennis balls: for when we hear oaths tossed up and down in many mens mouths, by that we may perceive them to be wicked, godless, and profane men, and such as in deed know not God at all. Now, they will not in any wise confess that they know not God: for, when a man shall hear them both in market place and street swear continually: and thereupon reprove them, this by and by is their answer: O good sir, I promise you for mine own part, I fear God: surely sir, it seemeth you do so with lye and all. For out of all doubt, if we do fear him in deed, it would be seen by our sober and wise taking of his name in our mouths, & not by profaning of the same. And in very deed, when as we ⟨p. 86⟩shall throughly consider what is the cause of an oath, assuredly we shall continually provoke God against us, if we abuse and corrupt the same. For, as S.

howbeit we are so blockish and dull, as that we had great need to haue some helpes to put vs in mind, and therewithall to make vs tremble before his maiestie when we sweare, & therfore we see why in all ages men were wont to lift vp their handes, and that by God his owne conduction. And men lifted vp their handes in a solemne oath, euen as wee doo when wee pray. For, when we lift vp our hands, it is as much as if we besought God to come downe from heauen to helpe vs: not that he chaungeth his place, but that he so spreadeth forth his power as that wee may feele him to bee present in graunting our petitions. Thus we see how by ceremonie and our outward gesture, we shew that our praiers conioyne vs vnto God, and that by them wee enter heauen through faith, and that God for his part, descendeth vnto vs, to shew himselfe to bee at hand. Euen so also it is saide of an oath,