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…

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.

WEE sawe yesterday howe Iacob forsooke his meate for that spirituall benefite which GOD had promised vnto him: and heereby it appeareth that he had more care of his soule than of his body: Here we haue an example, though not altogither like in ⟨p. 67⟩Isaack his father, yet cōming very neere it. For we see how Isaack had more regarde to the spirituall inheritance, than to all that concerned this brittle and transitorie life. Hee was oppressed with famine: & there is no doubt, but that it was not his ease to goe into Egypt. But when he was let by an expresse commaundement, it was a signe, that his courage tended thitherwardes: because his commoditie likewise drew him: God staieth his iourney, and hee obeyeth. Wee see then that Isaack lefte not onely a messe of Pottage: but hee seeing that hee coulde endure much woe for a yeeres space, notwithstanding hee withhelde himselfe, and sought no refuge in Egypte: and remayned in the land of Gerar, which specially coulde not be altogither exempted frō pouertie, which was a parte of that countrie: For it is impossible, when there is any famine, but that the neighbour and neere places must also feele it: It may easily be gathered, that then there was no dearth in Egypt. So that Isaack heere sheweth vs, that although temptations be great, if we bee destitute of that which is necessary to maintaine vs, that yet notwithstanding we must alwaies hold vs to the wil of God, and rather forget all our cases, and prepare our selues patiently to suffer al wante and necessitie, than to seeke our commodities, as it were, against the will of God. This is the first poynt that we haue to marke in this history. Nowe it is sayde.