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…

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.

But here men might iudge, that this was a very childish deede, and a very toye, forasmuch as it was a counterfayte meate, for shee tooke of a kidde, in steede of some venison: and after that the father had eaten and was well filled, hee blessed his sonne, and that this was as it were a reward for his dinner: and agayne that Iacob came in a disguised habite, as if hee had bin vppon a stage counterfeiting his brother Esau, vnder colour of his garments, and had his poule, his necke, & his handes: & in al this nothing was seene but matter of laughter. But to the end that we should be kept in reuerence, and make our profit of this historie, let vs learne too looke vnto Gods election wherof mention was made before: For if wee haue not this foundation, it is certayne that in all that Moyses rehearseth, wee shall not finde any thing that may mooue vs, or giue vs any perswasion, that this was guided and gouerned from aboue. But when we shall be resolued, that GOD had giuen the birthright too Iacob before hee was borne: notwithstanding wee haue too note, in seeing these thinges so sottishly ordered by men of an vnaduised zeale, that therefore wee ceasse