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…

Therefore let us take heed that we be not led by our carnal and earthly appetites, if we will keep our array towards God. It ⟨image 55⟩is true, that to eat and drink are not condemned. For God hath placed us in this world under that condition that we should enjoy his creatures: and seeing he hath ordained us to eat and to drink, it is certain that we offend him not: when we desire to have for our necessities, & search out also the use of those benefits, which he hath prepared for us. For it is not said without cause, that we must do all things in his name, yea both in eating & drinking: but in that we be corrupted, it cannot be but there will be always excess in our appetites, & this excess maketh us to forget our duties towards God: so as we are are altogether drawn away on every side: & when we think to do our duties we are far therefrom. But Isaac ought always to have had this before his eyes, yea & he ought to have had it engraven in his heart, this voice should have sounded in his ears, to wit, that the greater should serve the less: he ought without end, and without ceasing, thus to have thought: well, forasmuch as God will have his election to remain in Jacob, it behoveth that I agree unto it. But in the mean time his meat turneth him, & draweth him quit contrary. Let us therefore be well advised (as I have already said) on our parts, to repress our desires, yea though they be natural, & of them selves not unlawful. But to the end that there be no excess nor intemperance: Let us be advised (I say) to check and to tame them, in such sort that they never turn us away, or hinder us from ordering our selves according to the will of God. Mark therefore ⟨p. 48⟩briefly what we have to learn here.

Therfore let vs take heede that we be not led by our carnall and earthly appetites, if we will keepe our array towards God. It ⟨image 55⟩is true, that to eate and drinke are not condemned. For God hath placed vs in this world vnder that condition that we should enioy his creatures: and seeing he hath ordained vs to eate and to drinke, it is certaine that we offend him not: when we desire to haue for our necessities, & search out also the vse of those benefites, which he hath prepared for vs. For it is not said without cause, that we must do al things in his name, yea both in eating & drinking: but in that we be corrupted, it cannot bee but there wil be alwaies excesse in our appetites, & this excesse maketh vs to forget our duties towards God: so as we are are altogither drawen away on euery side: & when we thinke to doe our duties we are far therefrō. But Isaack ought alwaies to haue had this before his eyes, yea & he ought to haue had it engrauen in his heart, this voice should haue sounded in his eares, to wit, that the greater shuld serue the lesse: he ought without ende, and without ceasing, thus to haue thought: wel, forasmuch as God wil haue his election to remaine in Iacob, it behoueth that I agree vnto it. But in the meane time his meate turneth him, & draweth him quit contrary. Let vs therfore bee wel aduised (as I haue already sayde) on our partes, to represse our desires, yea though they be naturall, & of them selues not vnlawfull. But to the end that there be no excesse nor intemperance: Let vs be aduised (I say) to check and to tame thē, in such sorte that they neuer turne vs away, or hinder vs from ordering our selues according to the will of God. Marke therefore