A17722:222
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…
Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in Jacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherein every Christian may see the excellent benefits of God towards his children, and his marvellous judgements towards the reprobate, first published in the French tongue, & now translated into English, by John Field, for the comfort of all Christians.Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in Iacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherin euery Christian may see the excellent benefites of God towardes his children, and his maruelous iudgements towards the reprobate, firste published in the French toung, & now translated into English, by Iohn Fielde, for the comfort of all Christians.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Toby Cooke, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Tobie Cooke, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But when Isaac played thus with his wife, he made some sign of a husband to his wife: so that it might be judged either this man is a whoremonger, or else he must needs be her husband. Now to think him a whoremonger, they could not, because he had behaved himself honestly in the fear of God, and with the good will of every one in the country of Gerar: he must therefore be esteemed for her husband. But hereupon Isaac confesseth his fault: but he confesseth it alleging that he feared, lest he should have been killed. Here things are rehearsed more briefly, then we have seen before. For Abraham was rebuked more sharply: & likewise he maketh a more long excuse thereof. I did know (saith he) that there was no fear of God in this Country. Only Isaac sayeth, I feared least they would kill me.
But when Isaack played thus with his wife, he made some signe of a husband to his wife: so that it might bee iudged either this man is a whoremonger, or else hee must needes be her husbande. Nowe to think him a whoremonger, they could not, because he had behaued himselfe honestly in the feare of God, and with the good wil of euery one in the countrie of Gerar: he must therfore be esteemed for her husband. But heerevpon Isaack confesseth his faulte: but hee confesseth it alleadging that he feared, lest he shoulde haue beene killed. Here things are rehearsed more briefely, then we haue seene before. For Abraham was rebuked more sharpely: & likewise he maketh a more long excuse therof. I did knowe (saith he) that there was no feare of God in this Countrie. Onely Isaack sayeth, I feared least they would kil mee.
Now he showeth here that although Rebecca were his sister, nevertheless seeing that his purpose was to cloak the trueth: it was to be condemned. So likewise, when we will be very subtle for a time, let us not be so obstinate as altogether too maintain all that we have said and done (although there be some fault in us:) but let us frankly acknowledge it. For Isaac might have said, yea, she is my sister. But notwithstanding ⟨p. 88⟩that which he had said, he addeth that he was to be blamed, as also Abimilech did: For he saw just cause to condemn Isaac, and therefore he saith unto him, Wherefore haste thou done this thing?