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…

There is no doubt, but that he might thereby also have taken occasion, seeing (as Abraham his father alleged) that there was no fear of God in the country: not for that there was so outrageous Impiety, that neither good nor evil was known there. For we see how the King of the Country spake: but forasmuch as the true religion ruled not there, and because there was nothing but Idolatry, it seemed rather to Isaac that all was confused. For in deed we shall never have a sure ⟨image 93⟩rule, to walk in equity and right, unless we have the majesty of God present, and that we be holden in with that, as it were a bridle. Now when we know not what God is, and that we have nothing but confuse speculations, albeit that we have some honesty, and though we have the discerning of good and evil, and that we are not given to hurt, nor to commit wrong and violence, yet so it is that there is no staidness in us. For (as I have said) we cannot build upon any other foundation, to have a firm & stable building, but upon the fear of God going before. Isaac therefore might have some occasion to fear & to prevent danger: but in the mean while he ought to have known, of what force God his safeguard was, even such as it had bin before by experience declared unto him: For if he had bin well advised, he would not but have understood that God had his arm stretched out, for to have succoured him, & that invisible manner: For he had said unto him: Fear not, for I am with thee: I am thy very large reward. It is true that this was not spoken expressly to him: but that which was spoken to his father, was aswell spoken him. For he was the heir of that promise.

There is no doubt, but that hee might thereby also haue taken occasion, seeing (as Abraham his father alledged) that there was no feare of God in the countrie: not for that there was so outragious Impietie, that neither good nor euil was knowen there. For wee see howe the King of the Countrie spake: but forasmuch as the true religion ruled not there, and because there was nothing but Idolatrie, it seemed rather to Isaack that all was confused. For in deede we shall neuer haue a sure ⟨image 93⟩rule, to walke in equitie and right, vnlesse we haue the maiestie of God present, and that wee be holden in with that, as it were a bridle. Nowe when we knowe not what God is, and that we haue nothing but confuse speculatiōs, albeit that we haue some honestie, and though we haue the discerning of good and euill, and that wee are not giuen to hurt, nor to commit wrong and violence, yet so it is that there is no stayednesse in vs. For (as I haue said) we cannot builde vpon any other foūdation, to haue a firme & stable building, but vpon the fear of God going before. Isaack therefore might haue some occasion to feare & to preuent daunger: but in the meane while he ought to haue knowen, of what force God his sauegarde was, euen such as it had byn before by experience declared vnto him: For if he had byn wel aduised, he woulde not but haue vnderstood that God had his arme stretched out, for to haue succourd him, & that invisible maner: For he had said vnto him: Feare not, for I am with thee: I am thy very large rewarde. It is true that this was not spoken expressely to him: but that which was spoken to his father, was aswel spokē him. For he was the heire of that promise.