A17696:85
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.
In that God brought Abram out of his Tent where ⟨p. 101⟩he dwelt, and made him look up to heaven to behold the Stars thereof, we shall not need to busy our selves about this childish subtlety, as how God compareth the church to the Stars, because we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven, dwelling here upon earth as strangers, always travelling further. For this is not the meaning of the place. And also where we have heretofore spoken of dust, some men in a speculative sort have thought the Church to be there set down under the image and figure of dust, and that the world should make no account of it: these are nothing else but more trifling toys, without any sound ground. But we see why God set before his servant Abram the Stars of heaven, to look upon them: even that he might behold his power, & not by his own discourse & reason judge of the truth of this promise, which in the natural conceit of man was incredible. For we shall never have faith until such time as this fault be amended and corrected: to wit, to leave our own natural judgement, and cast away all our own wisdom, that we might attribute unto God alone the honour due unto him. Now let us see if this be not a most notable & excellent glass of the infinite power of God, to behold this infinite multitude of Stars of heaven created in a moment. And we see ⟨p. 102⟩also in the Psalm why this miracle is magnified where it is said,1 That it is he that numbereth the multitude of the Stars, & giveth them their names: that is to say, it is he that maketh them subject unto him and to his government. And therefore when we open our eyes to behold the Stars, we must by and by look unto their creation: for in a minute, as soon as God had spoken the word, behold the heaven was full of this army royal, as the scripture calleth them. Thus we see that the heavenly hosts were created in a minute, and are continually obedient unto his majesty. We see that all the Stars keep their due course and compass, and although their revolution be every way great, & that the Planets may remove the firmament, & may be all mixed together: yet we see that they are all so directed, as that we are enforced to wonder at it. Seeing then it is so, no marvel though this glass was let before the eyes of Abram:
In that God brought Abram out of his Tent where