A17722:270
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.
If the world went thus with us, it is certain that we ought not to esteem so much of it, as to have this testimony, that GOD is merciful unto us. For let us put the case, that a man did swim in all pleasures and had all the ease in the world and wanted nothing: yet notwithstanding, ⟨p. 108⟩if he know not, how it standeth betwixt GOD and him, if he have no doctrine, no promise, he shall be always as it were in doubt whether his ease will last or no: and if he become so drunken therewith, that he think that his prosperity shall yet continue with him, what may it be too have after this sort all his felicity in this world? How long endures this life?
If the worlde went thus with vs, it is certaine that we oughte not to esteeme so muche of it, as to haue this testimonie, that GOD is mercifull vnto vs. For let vs put the case, that a man did swimme in all pleasures and hadde all the ease in the worlde and wanted nothing: yet notwithstanding, ⟨p. 108⟩if hee knowe not, howe it standeth betwixt GOD and him, if he haue no doctrine, no promise, hee shall bee alwayes as it were in doubte whether his ease will laste or no: and if he become so drunken therewith, that hee thinke that his prosperttie shall yet continue with him, what maye it be too haue after this sorte all his felicitie in this worlde? How long indures this life?
So then all the blessings that may happen unto us, are nothing, neither can they have any good savour, unless we be assured of the favour of GOD: but on the other side, when it pleaseth God to declare unto us that he loveth us, and that we are in his protection, that we can not perish, that he holdeth us by the hand, and that we are kept and guarded by him. This is it then that ought to content us, though all the rest did fail us. So then, how soever God gave some sign unto Isaac, that he had looked upon him in pity: this was nothing in comparison of that which Moses rehearseth now, which was that God appeared unto him, to the end to continue his covenant towards him, and too ratify it so much the more, and that he was altogether resolved therein, in such sort that he was a Buckler unto him, to break all temptations. But we have here in the first place to note, that this was a vision to prepare Isaac, to the end that the word which must be given unto him, might be received with the greater reverence and authority.