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…

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.

Nowe this is an instruction to confirme that wee haue intreated off before: That is to say, that GOD hath not chosen men according to the outwarde shewe they may haue: but contrarywise, that which is accounted moste excellent, he forsaketh and despiseth: And that which is as reiected of men, that doth he aduaunce. Wee see it alwayes: but yet ther is no doubte, but the holy Ghoste ment to sette foorth this in the person of our father Iacob, to the ende that we shoulde learne to beate downe all foolish presumption, and shoulde not search in our selues, why GOD doth choose vs, why also he continueth his grace towardes vs: but that wee shoulde knowe that he would be gloryfied in our littlenesse: and wee shall haue well profited, when this doctrine shall be imprinted in our heartes.

For there is nothing that more turneth us a way from God, then when we desire to have some virtue worthy of praise: but we must be utterly spoiled thereof, or else we shall be so puffed up, that the grace of GOD can not enter into us: So much the more then it behoveth us to ⟨image 50⟩lay good hold upon this which is so necessary for us: that is to say, that when God chooseth us, that this is not (as men say) for our fair eyes. And finally, if we be despised of the world, let us not therefore be discouraged: as we have showed, that it ought thoroughly to content us that we be accepted of God, although the world disdain us: For we see what was in Jacob: one still sitting in the house, as if a man would say, a Doe nothing, or Idle body. It is true that he was entire, but whence was it? Whence was this simplicity taken? did he any notable thing? had he any reputation? he had nothing at all. But see Esau, who was as it were above the clouds even from his birth, he was a man already, he had strength in him self: & further, when he grew he had great industry, so that it seemed that he was to work wonders. Very well, in this we are taught that all comes of God. For if we should seek the cause of election in men, it is certain that every one would give his voice to Esau without doubt. But notwithstanding all this, God preferreth Jacob: and why so? This is quite contrary to that we imagine. So then we have to mark, that God hath in such sort dispensed his grace, that he would have men to know, that it was his only goodness that moved him to love Jacob. Now this doctrine is well worthy to be meditated upon, all the days of our life: and this is (as I have said) too beat down all the overweening that men have in them selves, to the end that there be nothing