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 I have already said in the first place, that God would as it were seal his election here, in the person of Jacob: and that he hath showed also in the person of Esau, that he was of the number of those, that were caste off from him. It is very certain that if Jacob had not been governed by the spirit of GOD, he had been altogether like his brother Esau. But we must see how the spirit of God was rather given unto him then unto Esau: We shall not find this diversity, but in the only free goodness of God. So then, let us know that Jacob was led with an holy ⟨image 62⟩affection, forasmuch as God had holden him of the number and company of his Children: as also S. Paul saith: That we are the workmanship of God, created to good works, the which he hath prepared. He speaketh not there of all men in general. It is true that God hath created us all without difference: but there is a new creation in those, whom God reformeth, and whom he purgeth from their wicked lusts, to the end that he may bring them to him self, and conform them to his righteousness, so that they desire nothing more then to honour and serve him purely. Mark therefore a second creation which God worketh in his Children. So then, let us know that if God reach out his hand unto us, to show us the way of salvation, if he give us courage cheerfully to march forwards, and strengthen us also to continue therein, that then he showeth that his election is not in vain and frivolous, but hath it full effect and virtue. To conclude, when he abandoneth us, and that we are as strays throughout all our life, that we forget the salvation of our souls: let us know that herein he declareth his curse upon us. And so let us learn to tremble, as often as we see men besotted in beastliness, so as they know not their own state and condition, neither to what end they were created, nor wherefore God hath placed them in the world: when we see this, it behoveth us (I say) to tremble and to pray unto God, that he will not suffer us so to be estranged from him:

Now I haue already sayd in the first place, that God would as it were seale his election heere, in the person of Iacob: and that hee hath shewed also in the person of Esau, that hee was of the number of those, that were caste off from him. It is very certaine that if Iacob had not beene gouerned by the spirite of GOD, hee had beene altogither like his brother Esau. But wee must see how the spirit of God was rather giuen vnto him then vnto Esau: We shall not find this diuersitie, but in the onely free goodnesse of God. So then, let vs knowe that Iacob was led with an holie