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…

Now Moses addeth another temptation, which was very hard unto him: and that was that he had digged the wells that his father Abraham had digged in his life time, and that he kept the same names that was given unto them. Here we see in the first place the malice of the Philistines, although that Abraham had lived very courteously amongst them: yea and that Abimilech this mans predecessor, had made a league with him, & came to seek him, and Abraham in way of homage, had given him one of the Welles that he had digged, which he had bought again, and had presented the homage unto him as we have seen: yet notwithstanding all this, that they came to dam up these wells. They knew that Abraham was the servant of God & a Prophet: God had maintained his quarrel, and they had a visible testimony thereof: for even the house of Abimilech had been ⟨image 111⟩beaten, and GOD had scourged it: and therefore they might have been moved thereby to have suffered him: and albeit they had not for a time been well advised, seeing that Abraham had protested that he would not do wrong nor hurt any, as he had been sworn too Abimilech: they should have contented them selves herewith: they had known the man to be very loyal, and keeping his promise where he had made it: notwithstanding to the end he should never return again, they dammed up the Welles which he had digged: for there is no doubt, but this was done to the end to shut him out from coming any more amongst them: For as he was a stranger, he might have sought out a place fit for him to dwell in: as if you would say, at the least wise I shall have Water, and again there is some pasture for my Cattle. So then, he might have returned back again: but what do they? ô when the water shall be taken away from him, he shall be constrained to seek pasture else where: he can never return hither again. See here a vile & mischievous malice: but let us know that it is Gods will, that his children should be so molested, to prove their patience. And again, let us note that all falleth out to the confusion of the wicked, when they are so unkind against the servants of God: For it is certain that if Abraham had, dwelt there, the blessing of God had rested in that Country.

Nowe Moyses addeth another temptation, which was very hard vnto him: and that was that he had digged the welles that his father Abraham had digged in his life time, and that he kepte the same names that was giuen vnto them. Heere wee see in the first place the malice of the Philistins, although that Abraham had liued very curteously amongst them: yea and that Abimilech this mans predecessor, had made a league with him, & came to seeke him, and Abraham in way of homage, had giuen him one of the Welles that he had digged, which he had bought againe, and had presented the homage vnto him as wee haue seene: yet notwithstanding all this, that they came to damme vp these welles. They knew that Abraham was the seruant of God & a Prophet: God had maintained his quarrel, and they had a visible testimonie therof: for euen the house of Abimilech had beene