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…

That Esau being returned, he asked of his brother Jacob, that he would give him of that red Pottage, and of that meat: He saith it, but this was as it were in contempt: and yet herein we see, that he was not so delicate and fine mouthed: but he could do no more, he was so weary, that he knew not what he did: and therefore he asketh nothing but to be satisfied. And hereupon he saith: Give unto me: as if he should say: It is all one unto me, whether I eat brown bread or white, so that I may fill my belly, admit it were but with Acorns, it is all one unto me. A man might here find some colour to excuse Esau: and it seemeth that this might well have bin pardoned him. But what? So much the more in ⟨image 63⟩this must we behold, that our desires how natural & lawful soever they be, are yet nevertheless to be repressed, when there is any question of the heavenly life: for then we must bring under every consideration, and rather loose life an hundred times, then go out of the path of salvation. It is not enough therefore that men abstain from those acts that are altogether dissolute and wicked, and whereof they may be ashamed, but yet whatsoever desire they shall have, yea permitted unto them of God, which is not altogether condemned, yet must they tame them, when there shall be any comparison with spiritual benefits. But hereof we shall yet entreat more at large. In the mean time it behoveth us to note this point, that Esau sought not after great dainties: he saw the Pottage, whereof mention is here made, and he asketh nothing but to be satisfied therewith.

That Esau beeing returned, he asked of his brother Iacob, that hee woulde giue him of that red Pottage, and of that meate: He saith it, but this was as it were in cōtempt: and yet heerein we see, that he was not so delicate and fine mouthed: but hee could doe no more, hee was so weary, that he knew not what he did: and therefore he asketh nothing but to be satisfied. And heereupon he sayth: Giue vnto me: as if hee shoulde say: It is all one vnto me, whether I eate browne breade or white, so that I may fill my belly, admit it were but with Acornes, it is all one vnto mee. A man might heere finde some coulour to excuse Esau: and it seemeth that this might wel haue bin pardoned him. But what? So much the more in ⟨image 63⟩this must we beholde, that our desires howe natural & lawful soeuer they be, are yet neuertheles to be repressed, when there is any question of the heauenly life: for then wee must bring vnder euery consideration, and rather loose life an hundred times, then goe out of the path of saluation. It is not enough therefore that men abstaine from those actes that are altogither dissolute and wicked, and whereof they may bee ashamed, but yet whatsoeuer desire they shall haue, yea permitted vnto them of God, which is not altogither condemned, yet must they tame them, when there shall be any comparison with spirituall benefites. But heereof wee shall yet intreate more at large. In the meane time it behoueth vs to note this point, that Esau sought not after great dayntyes: he saw the Pottage, whereof mention is heere made, and he asketh nothing but to be satisfyed therewith.