A17696:83
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.
even so shall thy seed, after such an unaccustomed sort be multiplied, as that men shall wonder thereat, by reason of the strangeness thereof. Now as we have already handled in the twelfth Chapter, this place cannot otherwise be interpreted, but that Jesus Christ is the head, and direct line as it were of the seed of Abram: for we shall hear hereafter, that Ismael was begotten, and yet for all that the promise was not accomplished: notwithstanding that he was the natural son of Abram, but not (as Saint Paul saith) the natural son of the promise. And therefore we must not take this here to be a carnal generation: but look higher, to wit,1 we must discern between the children of Abram as they are in their estate and order, ⟨p. 98⟩whereby they are known and avowed to be the children of God, and those that be bastards, although they come of his race. For although Isaac begot Esau and Jacob: and Esau was the first borne and both of one woman: yet for all that, was Esau turned quite and clean out of the doors. Now, no man could perceive the diversity why (of these two children) Jacob should be preferred before the other: considering that they were conceived both at one time, borne both at once, and besides, Esau the first borne. And why then is he accounted as a stranger, and to have neither room nor place in this spiritual inheritance which GOD promised to Abrams posterity? The reason is, because the blessing was taken from him, and given to his younger brother: but yet he had the right of the first borne. We see here then in sum, that if we take all those to be the seed of Abram which come of him as concerning the flesh, we shall find neither reason nor yet sound ground herein. Again, although God adopted all the posterity of Jacob, yet was the greatest part of them made strangers unto him. We see also why GOD so oftentimes disavowed them by his Prophets. Wherefore there must needs be a chief and principal ⟨p. 99⟩one of this seed, or else we shall never be able to have the truth of this promise. No doubt of it they spake not only of Jesus Christ, as some have over rawly done: but this order also must be kept, that is, we must set Jesus Christ before us, and be conjoined together in him: and then this union will cause us to be holden and reputed the children of Abram.