A17722:128
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…
Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in Jacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherein every Christian may see the excellent benefits of God towards his children, and his marvellous judgements towards the reprobate, first published in the French tongue, & now translated into English, by John Field, for the comfort of all Christians.Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in Iacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherin euery Christian may see the excellent benefites of God towardes his children, and his maruelous iudgements towards the reprobate, firste published in the French toung, & now translated into English, by Iohn Fielde, for the comfort of all Christians.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Toby Cooke, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Tobie Cooke, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
So then we may not say, that Isaac went about to help the election, of God nor set it forward: but contrariwise he hindered it. Now by this we see, that all mouths must be shut, and that men pretend not too have had any thing in their persons, to say that God should confirm unto them the blessings which he had already given them. To be short, we see hereby, that like as the election of God, is free & undeserved in his first beginning & foundation, and in full force, so also it behoveth that God show unto the end, that there is nothing but his only mercy and that all that is said on mans behalf, do cease & be abolished, & that this is not, either of the willer or of the runner (as S. Paul saith) Rom. 9. Mark then what we have to learn. Now in the mean time we see also the steadfastness which is in this counsel of God, ⟨image 54⟩whereby he chooseth those, whom he thinketh good. So we have to resolve our selves, although the whole world should labour to overthrow our salvation, that yet it will remain sure, so that we have our refuge always to that which hath bin showed us before: that is to say, That our Lord Jesus Christ hath taken into his keeping all that the father hath given him, as being his own: & that nothing thereof shall perish, forasmuch as God is stronger then men: for it is thither that he doth lead us: The father who hath given you unto me, is stronger then all.
So then wee may not say, that Isaack wente about to helpe the election, of God nor set it forward: but contrariwise he hindred it. Now by this we see, that all mouthes must be shut, and that men pretend not too haue had any thinge in their persons, to say that God should confirme vnto them the blissings which hee had already giuen them. To be short, we see heereby, that lyke as the election of God, is free & vndeserued in his firste beginning & foundation, and in full force, so also it behoueth that God shew vnto the ende, that there is nothing but his only mercy and that all that is said on mans behalfe, doe cease & be abolished, & that this is not, either of the willer or of the runner (as S. Paule saith) Rom. 9. Marke then what wee haue to learne. Now in the meane time we see also the stedfastnes which is in this counsell of God, ⟨image 54⟩