The sacrifice of thankfulness A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the third of December,…The sacrifice of thankefulnesse A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the third of December,…

1. Jacob is accused for cruel and uncharitable dealing with his brother. Esau comes hungry from the field, he is ready to die for want of sustenance; he sees his brother (in no such exigent) with food in his hand; he breaks forth into an earnest complaint, entreating ⟨p. 8⟩his commiseration: now, shall a brother deny relief to his brother being ready to die, except upon such intolerable conditions? Sure it could be no less then a hard measure, to take such advantage of a brothers necessity. But it is answered, that there could not be any such necessity of Esau's coveting Jacobs pottage; for there was (if not lentil pottage) store of as good meat in the house; able to have given satisfaction to his hunger, and ready enough at his request, being the elder son. It was not then distressed neediness, but insatiate greediness, that wrought Esau's lust to Jacobs pottage. And it is not unfit, that the luxurious appetite should pay for his folly.

1. Iacob is accused for cruell and vncharitable dealing with his brother. Esau comes hungry from the field, he is ready to die for want of sustenance; he sees his brother (in no such exigent) with food in his hand; he breakes forth into an earnest complaint, intreating ⟨p. 8⟩his commiseration: now, shall a brother deny reliefe to his brother being ready to die, except vpon such intollerable conditions? Sure it could be no lesse then a hard measure, to take such aduantage of a brothers necessitie. But it is answered, that there could not be any such necessity of Esaus coueting Iacobs pottage; for there was (if not lentile pottage) store of as good meate in the house; able to haue giuen satisfaction to his hunger, and ready enough at his request, being the elder sonne. It was not then distressed needinesse, but insatiate greedinesse, that wrought Esaus lust to Iacobs pottage. And it is not vnfit, that the luxurious appetite should pay for his follie.

2. But Jacob cannot be excused of covetousness; that would set no lower a price on his pottage, then the Birthright. Which comprehended many privileges; priority, government of the brethren, a double portion to the rest, the Priesthood and right to sacrifice, and (what yet further commended it) a type and figure of everlasting life. And will Jacob require such a Birthright, including all these privileges for a mess of pottage? what tyrant could set such an Impost on a merchandise! what citizen such a price on his engrossed commodities? Here was an exaction beyond the taxing of Tiberius: an extortion more extreme then an Usurers. We answer, Not as the Hebrews conceit, that Jacob afterwards gave a greater sum, and paid this but as an earnest: the Scripture neither expressing directly, nor inferring by consequence any such matter But we say, that Jacob, by the instruction of his mother, knew that the Birthright did justly belong to him, by the preordination of God: therefore now wisely taketh this opportunity to r cover that to himself, whereof his brother was but an usurper: For though Esau could plead the right of Nature, Jacob could the right