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…

We see then the difference betwixt these two: that is, that a man would have said that Esau, was to be far advanced above his brother. For we see him thoroughly fashioned, he is big, and showeth great strength: To be short, he is not as a child, but as a man. But of Jacob, there is no other thing, but the hand that held him by the heel, and he was as a thing borne before his time: & when they grew, he continued even so. For Esau was a Hunter, a man of travel: (as if a man would say) nothing but strength. Of Jacob it is very true that ⟨p. 42⟩the name which Moses useth, is taken in good part and signifieth sound or perfect: Howbeit it was a simplicity which was opposed against all that which was more apparent in Esau: and in very deed Moses addeth, that he kept the house, that he was as it were a Cooke always sitting in the Ashes. Mark then what we have to consider in Esau and Jacob.

Wee see then the difference betwixte these two: that is, that a man would haue saide that Esau, was to be farre aduaunced aboue his brother. For we see him thorowly fashioned, he is big, and sheweth great strength: To be short, he is not as a childe, but as a man. But of Iacob, there is no other thing, but the hand that helde him by the heele, and he was as a thing borne before his time: & when they grewe, he continued euen so. For Esau was a Hunter, a man of trauel: (as if a man would say) nothing but strength. Of Iacob it is very true that ⟨p. 42⟩the name which Moyses vseth, is taken in good parte and signifieth sounde or perfect: Howbeit it was a simplicitie which was opposed against all that which was more apparaunt in Esau: and in very deede Moyses addeth, that he kept the house, that hee was as it were a Cooke alwayes sitting in the Ashes. Marke then what wee haue to consider in Esau and Iacob.

Now this is an instruction to confirm that we have entreated off before: That is to say, that GOD hath not chosen men according to the outward show they may have: but contrariwise, that which is accounted most excellent, he forsaketh and despiseth: And that which is as rejected of men, that doth he advance. We see it always: but yet there is no doubt, but the holy Ghost meant to set forth this in the person of our father Jacob, to the end that we should learn to beat down all foolish presumption, and should not search in our selves, why GOD doth choose us, why also he continueth his grace towards us: but that we should know that he would be glorified in our littleness: and we shall have well profited, when this doctrine shall be imprinted in our hearts.