A17722:30
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.
For thereupon it is said:1 by Isaiah. Rejoice O barren that diddest not bear: break forth into joy and rejoice, thou that diddest not travel with Child: For the desolate hath moe Children then all the married wives: Albeit thou hast been as a widow, God shall multiply thee, and thou shalt be a people, as it were by miracle, and above the judgement and opinion of men, and when thou shalt have stretched out thy Pavilions here and there, all shall be filled and replenished.
For therevpon it is said:1 by Esay. Reioyce O barren that diddest not beare: breake foorth into ioy and reioyce, thou that diddest not trauell with Childe: For the desolate hath moe Children then all the maryed wiues: Albeit thou hast beene as a widowe, God shall multiply thee, and thou shalt be a people, as it were by miracle, and aboue the iudgement and opinion of men, and when thou shalt haue stretched out thy Pauilions heere and there, all shall be filled and replenished.
When therefore we hear that this is spoken to the Church, let us know that if God at this day to humble us or to punish our offences, do diminish the number of them that call upon him: we must not therefore quail, but rather follow always our vocation without any astonishment at all. And further let us note that we see (specially in the state of the church) that which is spoken off in the 113. Psalm:1 That God filleth the houses of those that were barren before, with goodly Children and a great offspring. Let us wait then till our Lord doth his work, and then we shall have occasion to glorify him, knowing that it is not in vain that he hath said: that Abraham's seed shall be multiplied: but that this must come after such a sort as is incomprehensible unto us, & that the beginnings are small, & as it were nothing. When then