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,…

Forsooth, the reason is, that although they would stomach and ⟨p. 110⟩brag out the matter never so much, yet shall they be driven to acknowledge and understand, that they shall never be able to escape the heavenly judge his hands. These men then, I say, have a certain kind of faith, howbeit it is but in part: and it is such a piece of faith, as will do them no good: as for example, you shall see some men assure themselves upon a particular promise, when as they are in danger: for if a man shall come and say unto them, that God will have compassion upon them, they can like very well of this speech, howbeit it is but only in an expectation. Again, we shall see another man extremely sick, or suffering great poverty: and it may be that he will call upon GOD for aide. Another man may be brought unto such an extreme danger, as that he is as it were at his wits end: yet he hath a good hope, because he knoweth that God can help him. Now these are but particular beliefs, and can not save us, and so consequently, not justify us: but when we shall assure our selves of our adoption, wherein consisteth all our felicity: this is it that maketh us hope that GOD will be our Father unto the end: because he hath promised that his children shall not perish: and that we may call ⟨p. 111⟩upon him as upon our GOD, for our undoubted salvation. Now then when as we shall have this promise by which God uniteth us unto him self, and so allieth him self unto us, as that we never doubt that he will forget us: this then is such a faith as comprehendeth within it all the promises.¹ For (as Saint Paul saith) The fear of God which proceedeth from Faith, hath not only the promises of the life now, but of the Life to come. For we may conclude, that all things shall go well with us, if so be that God favoureth us and accepteth of us.

Forsooth, the reason is, that although they would stomacke and ⟨p. 110⟩brag out the matter neuer so much, yet shall they bee driuen to acknowledge and vnderstand, that they shal neuer be able to escape the heauenly iudge his handes. These men then, I say, haue a certain kind of faith, howbeit it is but in part: and it is such a peece of faith, as will do them no good: as for example, you shall see some men assure themselues vppon a perticuler promise, when as they are in daunger: for if a man shall come and saie vnto them, that God will haue compassion vppon them, they can lyke verie well of this speech, howbeit it is but onelie in an expectation. Againe, we shall see another man extreemly sicke, or suffering great pouertie: and it may be that hee will call vppon GOD for aide. Another man may bee brought vnto such an extreame daunger, as that hee is as it were at his wittes ende: yet hee hath a good hope, because hee knoweth that God can helpe him. Nowe these are but perticuler beleefes, and can not saue vs, and so consequently, not iustefie vs: but when wee shall assure our selues of our adoption, wherein consisteth all our felicitie: this is it that maketh vs hope that GOD will bee our Father vnto the ende: because hee hath promised that his children shall not perish: and that wee maye call