Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in…Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in…

John Baptist was sanctified from the womb of his mother: but it is far otherwise in many others. For God suffereth his elect sometimes to be as scattered sheep, and they seem as though they were altogether lost: and this is to the end to give the greater glory to his grace. As we see now some sign in Jacob, that God had chosen him, and rejected his brother Esau. For Jacob held the heel of his brother, as if he had fought against him. And this came not to pass by chance, neither was it done by nature: but God showed as it were with the finger, that Esau was the first borne, and yet was nevertheless put back: and Jacob, who was the inferior in his birth, should yet in time be preferred. Mark then what we have to learn upon this place: that is, that God will approve that which he hath pronounced as we saw yesterday: That the greater shall serve the lesser: and ⟨p. 41⟩And this hath already been showed in the birth of two infants. But of this example we have to gather in general, that those whom God hath chosen, he hath prevented: & by this means doth ratify his counsel and decree, when his execution appeareth. And so, though we can not enter so far, to know who they are that were elected before the foundation of the world: notwithstanding our election shall be testified unto us, so far forth as shall be necessary: For if God (as a man would say) do keep the protocol or original draught thereof with him self, it followeth not but that he doth give us such testimony thereof, that we may be assured that he both is and will be a father unto us to the end: & that we should call upon him in this affiance. For it is not said here albeit there were a vocation (as the holy scripture speaketh) that is to say, that he had declared unto Jacob that he had elected him. This will come with the time▪ but it is said simply that God had showed it as it were to the eye, that the answer which he had given to Rebecca was not in vain. Why so? the effect appeared in this, that Jacob held the heel of his brother. But here by the way God would show by this figure, that his elect come not to their end without many combats. It is true that Jacob knew not what this meant, and his age also did not suffer it:

Iohn Baptist was sanctified from the wombe of his mother: but it is farre otherwise in many others. For God suffereth his electe sometimes to be as scattered sheepe, and they seeme as though they were altogether lost: and this is to the ende to giue the greater glory to his grace. As wee see now some signe in Iacob, that God had chosen him, and reiected his brother Esau. For Iacob held the heele of his brother, as if he had fought against him. And this came not to passe by chaunce, neither was it doone by nature: but God shewed as it were with the finger, that Esau was the firste borne, and yet was neuerthelesse put back: and Iacob, who was the inferiour in his birth, should yet in time be preferred. Mark then what we haue to learne vpon this place: that is, that God will approue that which he hath pronounced as we saw yesterday: That the greater shall serue the lesser: and