A17722:328
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.
& yet in the mean time ⟨p. 139⟩he was so blinded with the love of his son, that he fought against God, though he never once thought thereof. This was not a manifest rebellion nor of wilful malice: but it was because he was sluggish and knew not his office but in part. He knoweth very well that God would advance him to such a dignity, that he might be the messenger and witness of this blessing: He knoweth this, and notwithstanding on the contrary part he is deceived. He had therefore in this case a particular Faith: he had a good zeal mingled with the affections of the flesh.
& yet in the meane time ⟨p. 139⟩he was so blinded with the loue of his sonne, that he fought against God, though hee neuer once thought therof. This was not a manifest rebellion nor of wilful malice: but it was because hee was sluggishe and knewe not his office but in parte. He knoweth very wel that God would aduaunce him to such a dignitie, that he might bee the messenger and witnesse of this blessing: Hee knoweth this, and notwithstanding on the contrary parte hee is deceiued. Hee had therefore in this case a particular Fayth: he had a good zeale mingled with the affections of the fleshe.
But let us come too Rebecca. Rebecca behaved her self here with foolish rashness: for what an attempt was it, for the blessing of God, too be profaned through craft and lying? yea, (I say) lying so foul as nothing cold be more. The matter was here of the salvation of the world, the question was of having Jesus Christ whom GOD should send for a Redeemer. But how proceedeth Rebecca therein? It is certain that a thing of such importance ought too be handled with all fear and lowliness: what a thing is it then that she cometh foolishly too attempt that which seemeth good unto her, in so excellent a work of GOD and which surmounteth all others? For Rebecca knowing well that the blessing which she sought for her son Jacob imported that he should be head of the Church during his life, and that of him should come our Lord Jesus Christ: doth notwithstanding