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…

And this is it that Solomon saith: That hatred discovereth reproaches, faults and injuries. When the hearts then are thus set on fire, it is not possible but that the tongues also must overflow too outrage one against the other. But Isaac took no such course: but we have to note, that whensoever we shall be patient that this letteth not, but that we use our liberty, to show them that have faulted, the wrong that they have done unto us, and so make them to understand their offence: to the end all may profit them.

And this is it that Solomon sayth: That hatred discouereth reproches, faultes and iniuryes. When the hearts then are thus set on fire, it is not possible but that the tongues also must ouerflowe too outrage one against the other. But Isaack tooke no such course: but we haue to note, that whensoeuer wee shall be patient that this letteth not, but that we vse our libertie, to shew them that haue faulted, the wrong that they haue done vnto vs, and so make them to vnderstande their offence: to the ende all may profite them.

It is true that in this case we must thoroughly examine our affection: for it is a very hard and rare thing, that a man who shall have been provoked & offended, that he should not be moved with some passion, and so always pursue his own particular cause. And therefore I have said that we must enter into our selves, and diligently mark, if we be not moved with some desire of revenge, or tainted with some hatred or rancour: when we shall ⟨image 130⟩have thoroughly known this, and find our selves clear, then we may have an open mouth to show them their offence, that shall have wronged us, not too be revenged in condemning of them: but to the end that they flatter not them selves in their sins, as this is a very common evil amongst men. Lo then a point which we have diligently to mark: that is, that the patience of the faithful is not without all touch of any passion, neither is it against this, that we frankly show them: ye have done me wrong, and ye have offended GOD, and ye have had no occasion to do so: and yet: that they always have special regard unto the salvation of those, who have persecuted them, and have been their enemies. For this that Isaac nippeth them withal, was undoubtedly as an admonition, whereby he sought the good and salvation of them, to whom he spake so bluntly: For if he had dissembled it, what profit might come to him thereby? The others would have thought it deep hypocrisy, if he had made show to have bin contented & well pleased with them, and that he had nothing but honey in his mouth, and have said: Lo it is even so: Abimilech knowing himself to be faulty would have thought, See, a double man and a liar. Lo what they gain that dissemble so much, and set such a fair countenance upon it. So then, although the Children of God be patient, and that they be always ready ro forgive all wrongs committed against them, and have not any manner of ways cankered harts against