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…

It should seem here that GOD attributed the accomplishment of his promises to Abraham's virtue, and to his merits: but we have declared already that this could not be, neither ought so to be understood, as though the obedience which Abraham yielded to God had been the cause, why God should be bound unto him to perform that he had spoken: For we have showed already that this was altogether free in God. When Abraham was drawn out of the Idolatry wherein he was (as it is declared by Joshua:) What was it that moved him too do it?

It shoulde seeme heere that GOD attributed the accomplishment of his promises to Abrahams vertue, and to his merites: but we haue declared already that this coulde not bee, neither ought so to be vnderstoode, as though the obedience which Abraham yeelded to God had beene the cause, why God should be bounde vnto him to perfourme that he had spoken: For wee haue shewed already that this was altogither free in God. When Abraham was drawen out of the Idolatrie wherein hee was (as it is declared by Iosua:) What was it that mooued him too doe it?

Afterwards, when he kept Abraham to the end, this was not because he obeyed him: For contrariwise he had said unto him long before I will bless thee, I will be with thee, I will be thy large recompense: Thy seed shall be multiplied as the stars of heaven, and in it all nations of the Earth shall be blessed, All this was spoken to Abraham before Isaac was borne: and when Abraham would have sacrificed his son Isaac, it was said unto him: because thou hast not spared thy only Son: but wast ready to sacrifice him for the love of me, behold I will bless thee, and this was spoken to him long before: we see then, that that which is free in God, and that which he giveth us of his mere liberality, he attributeth to the service which we do unto him: not to minister unto us any matter of pride, but this is only so much the more to provoke & stir us up with cheerfulness ⟨image 86⟩and courage to serve him. Mark then the purpose of God: It is not to the end to rob himself of the praise which is due unto him, to the end men should usurp it: but it is because he knew that they have need of spurs, and must have aides, and helps to serve him, for otherwise we should be cold and dull. They therefore which seek here for merits, & would darken the mere praise of Gods goodness to exalt men, as though they were the cause of their own salvation, it is certain they would overthrow all, yea and overturn the purpose of God as much as lieth in them. Likewise, let us learn that when it is said, that God will establish his covenant with Isaac, because Abraham had obeyed his voice, that it was not to note the cause why: but it was only to show that the service which Abraham yielded unto him was acceptable to him, to the end that Isaac should follow him and conform himself thereunto. Hereby therefore we have to stir up our selves, as often as we feel any slowness in our selves, and when we shall not be so disposed as were requisite, to give our selves fully to the obedience of God: and that we think, What? It is said that when we shall obey him, he will accept this as a sacrifice of sweet smelling savour: and yet notwithstanding all that we do is nothing, there is no strength in us: