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…

But behold his own brother, for they were borne both in one belly: yet he leaveth him in this case, and vouchsafeth not to give him one spoonful of his pottage. A man might say therefore that Jacob was too too uncourteous. And again. Why should he compel him to sell his birthright? For he put here the knife as it were to his throat, and we know that bargains are always of no force, when there shall be any violence offered: If men do any thing by constraint, or if they promise any thing by compulsion rashly, they are not bound to keep it. But see Esau, who was an hungered, he could do no more, he was so far past him self, that he knoweth not what his birthright meaneth. So then, besides the cruelty of Jacob, there was to gross an oversight: and when he bargained, what oath soever came between, yet this ought not in any case to hold, by any right or reason. Well, notwithstanding all this, this is not recited to reprove Jacob, as though ⟨p. 54⟩he had committed any fault, or offended either God or his brother: But contrariwise the holy Ghost giveth him here testimony, that he showeth us the way how to search after Heavenly things, and that first of all we must seek the kingdom of God, and renounce our own desires, or else in such wise captivate and bring them under, that they hinder us not from looking always to the principal.

But beholde his owne brother, for they were borne bothe in one belly: yet hee leaueth him in this case, and vouchsafeth not to giue him one spoonefull of his pottage. A man might say therfore that Iacob was too too vncurteous. And againe. Why shoulde hee compell him to sell his birthright? For hee put heere the knife as it were to his throte, and wee knowe that bargaines are alwayes of no force, when there shall be any violence offered: If men doe any thing by constraint, or if they promise any thing by compulsion rashly, they are not bounde to keepe it. But see Esau, who was an hungred, hee could doe no more, he was so farre past him selfe, that hee knoweth not what his birthright meaneth. So then, besides the crueltie of Iacob, there was to grose an ouersight: and when he barganed, what othesoeuer came betweene, yet this ought not in any case to holde, by any right or reason. Well, notwithstanding all this, this is not recited to reproue Iacob, as though ⟨p. 54⟩he had committed any faulte, or offended either God or his brother: But contrarywise the holie Ghoste geueth him heere testimonie, that hee sheweth vs the waye howe to search after Heauenly thinges, and that first of all wee must seeke the kingdome of God, and renounce our owne desires, or else in such wise captiuate and bringe them vnder, that they hinder vs not from looking alwaies to the principall.