A17696:89
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.
howbeit he was so afeard as that he would have hid himself, and have been glad to have found some bottomless dungeon to have fled from the presence of God. Wherefore it is not enough for us to hear the word of God with that authority that it deserveth: but it must also be therewithal qualified: that is to say, it must be such a sure and certain word unto us as may make us approach near unto God, and make us partakers of his bounty and goodness: and not to doubt but that he will be our Father and Saviour, and so thereupon may be bold to call upon him, and hold our selves for his children, & fly unto him for succour and aide. Thus we see how Abram believed: it was no fantastical opinion which he had conceived in his brain:1 for Faith (as S. Paul saith) cometh by hearing, and by hearing of the word of God. Abram then heard and was taught before he believed. Neither was he instructed by any creature or mortal man, but knew right well that it was GOD which called him to be one of his children. Now this had not been enough, as we have already said, but Abram heard these words: I AM THINE EXCEEDING ⟨p. 109⟩2GREAT REWARD. I AM THY DEFENCE: FEAR NOT, FOR I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD WHICH HATH BROUGHT THEE OUT OF CHALDEE, AND OUT OF HER OF THE CHALDEANS, and as hereafter we shall see, and as we have already partly handled it in the twelfth Chapter, That Abram believed not God in hearing I cannot tell what, and which appertained nothing unto him, or to hear some particular speech: but he believed God, when as he verily believed that he was kept and reserved to be an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven. Thus we see what his faith was. But for the better understanding hereof, we are to note, that there is a particular faith, and a faith also which comprehendeth whatsoever is requisite for our salvation. As if God should now threaten us, it might so fall out as that it would move and touch the hearts of very hypocrites & contemners of his word. Now this is said to be a particular faith. For how many do we see, when as the judgements of God are set before them, to be amazed, and seared as it were within with an hot iron, looking on every side when they should fall upon them: and why so.
howbeit hee was so afeard as that he would haue hid himself, and haue been glad to haue found some bottomles dungeon to haue fled from the presence of God. Wherefore it is not inough for vs to heare the word of God with that authoritie that it deserueth: but it must also be therewithall quallified: that is to say, it must be such a sure and certaine word vnto vs as may make vs approach neere vnto God, and make vs partakers of his bountie and goodnes: and not to doubt but that he wil be our Father and Sauiour, and so therupon may be bold to call vppon him, and hold our selues for his children, & flie vnto him for succour and aide. Thus we see how Abram beleeued: it was no fantasticall opinion which hee had conceiued in his braine: