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 after we shall have disposed of every thing in such sort, that there be nothing that hold us or let us, from going cheerfully forwards when we shall be called. But when he speaketh of the blessing, this is not to be understood of common prayer. For there is no doubt, but that Isaac prayed every day for his children: and it is said here: That I may bless thee before my death. We may then gather that this blessing whereof Isaac speaketh, was had in special regard: & in deed (as I have said) Isaac was as it were the warden and keeper of Gods promise: and this treasure was committed into his charge & credit, to bless. And mark why the Apostle saith, The lesser was blessed of the greater, because it must needs be, that in this case he must have his authority from God. This was declared more plainly in the time of the law: For the priests were ordained, not only to teach the people, and to offer up sacrifices: but also too bless, and the very form thereof was set down unto them. And oftentimes when Moses speaketh ⟨p. 136⟩of this office, he setteth the Priests whom God had chosen to bless. But they do this, in respect of their own persons, no otherwise then as figures: but this was to show that it belonged to our Lord Jesus Christ, to be a witness unto us of the blessing of God, and to ratify it towards us: as also he showed when he ascended into Heaven, and that his hands were lifted up, he blessed his disciples. He showeth therefore that the trueth and substance of these figures of the law, was fulfilled in him. Now he was so, before the law was written: for God would that Abraham should be the father of the church: and for this cause he blessed Isaac, as if the heritage had bin resigned too him, which had bin promised to him. Isaac now must do the like: for he received not the blessing for him self, but to the end it should always remain in his house. He must therefore be the minister of the grace of God: as we yet see at this day, that he communicateth his benefits & spiritual gifts amongst us, by the hand of those whom he hath ordained to this purpose. Men therefore cannot forgive us our sins, and yet nevertheless our Lord Jesus Christ useth this figure of speaking: To whom so ever you shall forgive their sins, they shall be forgiven. Now yet for all that he hath reserved this to him self as he protesteth in Isaiah.

and after wee shall haue disposed of euery thing in such sort, that there be nothing that holde vs or let vs, from going cheerefully forwards when we shall be called. But when he speaketh of the blessing, this is not to be vnderstood of common praier. For there is no dout, but that Isaack praied euery day for his children: and it is said here: That I may blesse thee before my death. We may thē gather that this blessing wherof Isaack speaketh, was had in special regard: & in deed (as I haue said) Isaack was as it were the warden and keeper of Gods promise: and this treasure was cōmitted into his charge & credite, to blesse. And marke why the Apostle sayth, The lesser was blessed of the greater, because it must needs be, that in this case he must haue his authoritie from God. This was declared more plainly in the time of the law: For the priests were ordained, not onely to teache the people, and to offer vp sacrifices: but also too blesse, and the very forme thereof was set downe vnto them. And oftentimes when Moyses speaketh