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…

For there had been two that Moses already had rehearsed unto us. As soon as Abraham was arrived into the land of Canaan, he was fain to depart: & this was a very hard combat unto him, seeing that God had showed him that land, & that he had conceived great joy, for that he should be put in possession thereof: & now a little after he must be chased out, and become as it were a poor vagabond, and go down into Egypt, because he found not any succour else where. The second time he also withdrew himself into the land of the Philistines, which was of the very same country that was promised unto him, and under the King of Gerar: not he of whom now mention is made: for all called him Abimilech, which is as much to say, as My father the king: & this was not only an honourable title, but also expressed, that kings governed not by tyranny, & did devour up their subjects, but had a fatherly care over them whom God had committed to their charge. When then it is said that this famine came as the other, this is to show unto us, that altogether like as God had proved the faith of Abraham and his constancy: so likewise he would call his son to the like trial. For as Isaac was heir of the promise, so also must it needs be that he succeed his father in that which was promised to the children of God: For we must show by the effect that we so esteem heavenly benefits, to which God hath called us, that we pass through the world, and that we fail not, howsoever ⟨p. 68⟩we be afflicted after divers & sundry manners. Mark then whereto Moses hath regard, when he compareth these two famines: that is, to show us that when Abraham was tempted, it was not only for his own cause: but his son also must be like him. But by the way we are called the sons of Abraham and of Isaac: it behoveth then that our faith be examined, as it shall seem good unto God. It is very true that we shall be more confounded: and that is because we have not received so great a measure of strength. Mark therefore the cause why God supporteth our infirmity: but yet this is not to the end that our faith should be idle. So then, we are here warned by the spirit of God, that being in this world, we must be subject to many miseries, and that we shall not have an earthly paradise, to the end to have all our desires, & to be so satisfied that we shall lack nothing:

For there had beene twoo that Moyses already had rehearsed vnto vs. Assoone as Abraham was arriued into the land of Canaan, hee was faine to depart: & this was a very hard combate vnto him, seeing that God had shewed him that land, & that he had cōceiued great ioy, for that he shuld be put in possessiō therof: & now a little after he must be chased out, and become as it were a poore vagabond, and go downe into Egypt, because he found not any succour else where. The secōd time he also withdrewe himselfe into the lande of the Philistines, which was of the very same countrie that was promised vnto him, and vnder the Kinge of Gerar: not he of whom now mention is made: for all called him Abimilech, which is asmuch to say, as My father the king: & this was not only an honorable title, but also expressed, that kings gouerned not by tyranny, & did deuoure vp their subiectes, but had a fatherly care ouer them whom God had committed to their charge. When then it is saide that this famine came as the other, this is to shewe vnto vs, that altogither like as God had proued the faith of Abraham and his constancie: so likewise he would call his sonne to the like tryall. For as Isaack was heyre of the promise, so also must it needes be that he succeed his father in that which was promised to the childrē of God: For we must shewe by the effect that we so esteeme heauenly benefites, to which God hath called vs, that we passe through the worlde, and that we faile not, howsoeuer