A17696:95
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.
We have also heard of his patience, how constantly he abode in all his temptations, how he persisted to the end, in the vocation whereunto god had called him: to be short, we have heard that he failed in nothing. Now, we that are here are far from this perfection. How then dareth he whatsoever he is, be once so bold as to vaunt himself to be able to appear righteous before God through his own merits, ⟨p. 118⟩considering that Abram was never able to do it? howbeit, let that suffice us which I have already spoken of, to wit, that there is but one only rule that can make us please God: and that is it which is here set down unto us in the person of Abram. And withal, we must thus conclude also, that sith Abram was justified by believing God, that our works can no whit avail us to be liked of God, and to make a foundation of the hope which we must have of everlasting salvation: it is God that must give us all in all, and not we once presume to bring any thing with us of our own towards it. We will speak hereof more at large hereafter: but in the mean while we will use the easiest way of proceeding herein we possibly may. Here now we see as I have already said, our A. B. C. And this is the perfection of all our wisdom. And will not this be enough when as we have learned the principle and ground of our faith? and understood what entrance we should have for our profit in the school of God? which is the principal key of all the Gospel, and which leadeth us even to the true end, whereby we may know which way we may walk aright, and attain unto the inheritance which God hath laid up in store for us. And therefore when as we shall perceive that this place leadeth us ⟨p. 119⟩thereunto, no doubt of it we should, either ought to look unto it, or else we shall be most villainously unthankful. Now we have hitherto set down these things most familiarly and easily, so that there is not so young a child as cannot but taste thereof. Let us now then come to the point which I have a ready touched, which is, that Abram brought nothing with him whatsoever, why God should accent him: but rested wholly upon the mere grace and liberality contained in the promise. Let us now then hereupon consider of what time it is spoken.
We haue also heard of his patiēce, how cōstantly he aboad in al his temptations, how he persisted to the end, in the vocatiō wherunto god had called him: to be short, we haue heard that he failed in nothing. Now, we that are here are far from this perfection. How then dareth he whatsoeuer he is, be once so bold as to vant himself to be able to appeare righteous before God through his owne merits,