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…

And moreover let us mark well that which is spoken here, that the wickedness of Esau was, because he made no account of his birthright. And therefore this is a sign that we contemn the graces of GOD, and as a man would say, cast them to the ground and tread them under our feet, when we are so much addicted, either to this life, or to our desires: and when we can endure and bear nothing: but will have all which is pleasant unto us after the flesh. When then we will in such sort hold our lusts, it is ⟨image 72⟩certain that we make light account of that heavenly inheritance. For how shall that be esteemed of us? It shall be esteemed of us (as I have said already) when the world shall be unto us, but as an accessory, & all that is in it, shall go as at the tail. But the gospel & the promises which are therein contained, whereby god testifieth unto us, how he hath adopted us, & likewise how he will have us to himself: this must mount up above them, and we must be ravished in them. And notwithstanding let us well advise our selves. For if once the Devil gain this of us, that we become beastly in our pleasures, he will not put us in mind for nought, we shall seek after nothing but this transitory life, we shall do nothing but run up & down like poor beasts, & have no mark whereat to aim, as it fell out with Esau. I have said already that these words are not put in in vain. He did eat, he drank, he rose up and went his way. And what a company of such, and such like, do we see at this day? For they which have their delights after the manner of the world, will esteem us for beggarly momes and they deride our simplicity: Well, well, say they: let them have their Gospel, and not withstanding dye for hunger, and let them be such as have not a rag to hang on their tail, and have nothing to champ between their teeth, or rather let them droop & hang their wings, and be so miserable as none can be more: and let them rejoice in their Gospel, as much as they will, but we in the mean time will have our swing in this world, we will have all ⟨p. 65⟩our desires, and our table well garnished.

And moreouer let vs marke well that which is spoken heere, that the wickednesse of Esau was, because he made no account of his birthright. And therefore this is a signe that we contemne the graces of GOD, and as a man woulde say, cast them to the grounde and treade them vnder our feete, when we are so much addicted, either to this life, or to our desires: and when wee can endure and beare nothing: but wil haue all which is pleasaunt vnto vs after the fleshe. When then wee will in suche sorte holde our lustes, it is