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 it followeth after, that Jacob went too seek two kids, which he brought unto his mother, that she might dress some dainty meat, such as she knew Isaac loved. And after that she clothed Jacob with Esau's garments, and put the skins so upon him, that it seemed he was an hairy and rough man.

Nowe it followeth after, that Iacob went too seeke two kiddes, which hee brought vnto his mother, that shee might dresse some daintie meat, such as shee knewe Isaack loued. And after that shee clothed Iacob with Esaus garmentes, and put the skinnes so vpon him, that it seemed hee was an hairie and rough man.

But here men might judge, that this was a very childish deed, and a very toy, forasmuch as it was a counterfeit meat, for she took of a kid, in stead of some venison: and after that the father had eaten and was well filled, he blessed his son, and that this was as it were a reward for his dinner: and again that Jacob came in a disguised habit, as if he had bin upon a stage counterfeiting his brother Esau, under colour of his garments, and had his pole, his neck, & his hands: & in all this nothing was seen but matter of laughter. But to the end that we should be kept in reverence, and make our profit of this history, let us learn too look unto Gods election whereof mention was made before: For if we have not this foundation, it is certain that in all that Moses rehearseth, we shall not find any thing that may move us, or give us any persuasion, that this was guided and governed from above. But when we shall be resolved, that GOD had given the birthright too Jacob before he was borne: notwithstanding we have too note, in seeing these things so sottishly ordered by men of an unadvised zeal, that therefore we cease ⟨image 157⟩not too say: Lo God who is always unchangeable, although men through their sturdy boldness, and foolish presumption trouble and turn all upside down, yet nevertheless must his counsel remain entire and perfect. This therefore is that we have too note, too the end we may make our profit of this history. Moreover, when it is said: That Jacob came to his father, and said unto him: I am thy son Esau, eat and drink. Hereby we may see how men harden themselves, when they have once attempted to do any thing of an unadvised zeal, how they wax bolder and bolder. At the first Jacob doubted: If I (sayeth he) be found as a mocker before my father, he will curse me, but by and by he careth for nothing, he speaketh as boldly & frankly, as if it should have been said, that he was sure too be in Esau's place. But hereby we have too note, before we begin any thing, to think whether we have allowance from GOD, and whether he will guide us: and too see that in all our doing and enterprise, there be nothing but mere obedience.