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…

1 Now there was a great famine in that land, far greater then that first famine, that was in the days of Abraham: Wherefore Isaac went unto Abimelech the King of the Philistines into Gerar: 2 For the Lord appearing unto him had said, Go not down into Egypt, but dwell in the land which I shall tell thee. 3 Be a stranger in this land, and I will be with thee, and bless thee: For to thee and thy seed, I will give all these countries, that I may establish the oath which I have sworn to Abraham thy father. 4 I will multiply thy seed that it may be infinite as the stars of Heaven, and I will give unto thy seed all these Countries: and all the nations of the Earth, shall repute them selves blessed in thy seed. 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and observed my ordinance, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

1 Now there was a great famine in that land, farre greater then that first famine, that was in the daies of Abraham: Wherefore Isaack went vnto Abimelech the King of the Philistines into Gerar: 2 For the Lorde appearing vnto him had sayde, Goe not downe into Egypt, but dwel in the land which I shall tel thee. 3 Be a straunger in this land, and I will be with thee, and blesse thee: For to thee and thy seede, I will giue all these countryes, that I may establish the othe which I haue sworne to Abraham thy father. 4 I will multiply thy seede that it may bee infinite as the starres of Heauen, and I will giue vnto thy seede all these Countryes: and all the nations of the Earth, shall repute them selues blessed in thy seede. 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voyce, and obserued my ordinaunce, my commaundementes, my statutes, and my lawes.

WE saw yesterday how Jacob forsook his meat for that spiritual benefit which GOD had promised unto him: and hereby it appeareth that he had more care of his soul than of his body: Here we have an example, though not altogether like in ⟨p. 67⟩Isaac his father, yet coming very near it. For we see how Isaac had more regard to the spiritual inheritance, than to all that concerned this brittle and transitory life. He was oppressed with famine: & there is no doubt, but that it was not his ease to go into Egypt. But when he was let by an express commandment, it was a sign, that his courage tended thitherwards: because his commodity likewise drew him: God stayeth his journey, and he obeyeth. We see then that Isaac left not only a mess of Pottage: but he seeing that he could endure much woe for a years space, notwithstanding he withheld himself, and sought no refuge in Egypt: and remained in the land of Gerar, which specially could not be altogether exempted from poverty, which was a part of that country: For it is impossible, when there is any famine, but that the neighbour and near places must also feel it: It may easily be gathered, that then there was no dearth in Egypt. So that Isaac here showeth us, that although temptations be great, if we be destitute of that which is necessary to maintain us, that yet notwithstanding we must always hold us to the will of God, and rather forget all our cases, and prepare our selves patiently to suffer all want and necessity, than to seek our commodities, as it were, against the will of God. This is the first point that we have to mark in this history. Now it is said.