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…

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 ⟨p. 43⟩but the mere mercy of God that may shine in this thing: & in the mean time let us know that the Church was always small in her beginnings, yea, and that God, hath after such sort advanced it, that on mens parts their infirmity must appear, and that they must always acknowledge it, to the end men submit them selves to such a condition. And again, howsoever it be, let us know, that God will never forsake his own work, but will bring it to his right perfection, although it be not known of men at the first dash: For neither ought it to be so, neither is it profitable.

For there is nothing that more turneth vs a way from God, then when wee desire to haue some vertue woorthy of prayse: but we must be vtterly spoyled thereof, or else we shal be so puffed vp, that the grace of GOD can not enter into vs: So muche the more then it behoueth vs to