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 on the contrary we must also note, that god ⟨image 129⟩moved them upon the sudden to come towards Isaac, and to appease and abolish all enmities and quarrels, which might yet be moved either on the one side or on the other. Let us mark well then, when any outrage is done against us, and there, where, we shall have endeavoured to do pleasure and service to every one, that we shall be wonderfully pricked and tormented, that this should be done by Gods appointment, who willeth us to strive, not in doing evil, or requiting evil for evil, but by possessing our souls in patience, as also our Lord Jesus Christ hath thereto exhorted us. And likewise on the contrary, when we shall see men to be favourable unto us, and to intend no evil quarrel, or riot against us, let us know that God hath pity upon us, & that he governeth his creatures, and directeth them to such purpose as he seeth good. And likewise let us beseech God, as often as our enemies shall use any cruelty against us, and that we can not win them by any means, nor by any moderation that we can use, that it will please him to put too his hand, knowing that he can turn when it shall please him, those that are Wolves into sheep. This is, that we have to learn first of all by this History. But it is said that Isaac at their first coming spake bluntly enough on this wise: Why are you come unto me? seeing you hated me, & drave me out from amongst you?

Now on the cōttary we must also note, that god ⟨image 129⟩moued them vpon the suddaine to come towards Isaack, and to appease and abolish all enmities and quarrels, which might yet be moued either on the one side or on the other. Let vs marke well then, when any outrage is doone against vs, and there, where, we shal haue indeuored to do pleasure and seruice to euery one, that we shall be wonderfully pricked and tormented, that this should be doone by Gods appoyntment, who willeth vs to striue, not in doing euill, or requiting euill for euill, but by possessing our soules in patience, as also our Lord Iesus Christ hath thereto exhorted vs. And likewise on the contrary, when we shall see men to be fauourable vnto vs, and to intende no euill quarrel, or ryote against vs, let vs know that God hath pittie vpon vs, & that he gouerneth his creatures, and directeth thē to such purpose as he seeth good. And likewise let vs beseech God, as often as our enemyes shall vse any crueltie against vs, and that we can not winne them by any meanes, nor by any moderation that wee can vse, that it will please him to put too his hande, knowing that hee can turne when it shall please him, those that are Wolues into sheepe. This is, that wee haue to learne firste of all by this History. But it is sayde that Isaack at their firste comming spake bluntly enough on this wise: Why are you come vnto me? seeing you hated me, & draue me out from amongst you?