A17722:23
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.
❧ The first Sermon of Mr John Calvin concerning Jacob and Esau.
❧ The first Sermon of Mr Iohn Caluin concerning Iacob and Esau.
Gives. Chap. 25. vers. 12. NOW these are the generations of Ismael Abraham's son, whom Hagar, the Egyptian Sarahs handmaid bare unto Abraham, &c. To the end of the 22. verse.
Geues. Chap. 25. vers. 12. NOW these are the generations of Ismael Abrahams sonne, whome Hagar, the Egyptian Sarahs handmaide bare vnto Abraham, &c. To the end of the 22. verse.
WE have here to consider the difference that Moses putteth betwixt the Children of Abraham. We have seen already that the whole stock which he had by Keturah, dwelled in a country far off. Concerning Ismael he is separated far enough from the land of Canaan notwithstanding he be yet as one rejected. For it was necessary that the inheritance which was ordained to Isaac, should remain to him. Now in the first place it is said, that Ismael had twelve sons, the which in such sort multiplied, that of them came twelve Peoples. In this we see that God not without cause said to his servant Abraham,1 that for his sake Ismael also should have a certain blessing: but that it should be transitory and fleeting, and the principal should remain to Jacob. But whatsoever it be: yet so it is, that God did show himself faithful and true in his promise, the which belongeth to this temporal ⟨image 9⟩life. If God would that his trueth and constancy should be known in these things of the world, which slip away, and have nothing else but a figure which vanisheth, as S. Paul saith: what shall it be, when the promises are of far greater importance, as when he calleth us to the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven? Think we then that we can be frustrate of that, staying our selves upon him? See then how we must make our profit of this place. If God will be known firm and faithful in his word towards those which are as strangers, and which he hath shut out & rejected from his church: what will he then do towards us which are his children, whom he hath adopted, & to whom it hath pleased him to show himself nigh? For if God in small things, as in the stock, & in all other things of like sort, will have his trueth known? what shall it be, when in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, he setteth out unto us the inheritance of heaven, & declareth unto us that he will be merciful unto us, & that he will pardon our faults, that we may be reconciled to him, & that by this means we may be the brethren and companions of Angels, under one head, to wit, our Lord Jesus Christ? Can God there fail in his promises? Shall they be void and without effect and execution? It is impossible. This then is that we have to hold in this first place.