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…

Forasmuch then as men are so hardened in their foolish and rash counsels, and that we see such a notable example thereof in our father Jacob, so much the rather (as I have said already) must we take heed that we move not a finger breadth, till we know whether GOD will allow that which we do, and that we have taken counsel of his word: For then we cannot be too bold, when we shall be subject unto him, and when there shall be no foolish overweening in us too follow our own fantasy. But we can do nothing of our selves, how small soever it be, which is not too much. And therefore (as I have said,) let us learn too begin well, to the end, such an end may follow as we should desire. But in this which is here contained in Moses, we may have a figure which shall not be unfit: and that is, that although Isaac was deceived, that Esau was not there, and that Jacob through his sleights obtained his blessing, yet for all this, we have here an image of that blessing which is given unto us of GOD: For it is said in the first Chapter of the Ephesians, That we are blessed with all heavenly graces and spiritual gifts. And after what sort? Saint Paul addeth, in Jesus Christ: For if GOD should look upon our persons, we must be his enemies, and he must needs detest us by reason of sin. Seeing therefore it is so, it behooveth us too be blessed without ourselves: that is too say, in the person of our head.

Forasmuch then as men are so hardened in their foolishe and rashe counsels, and that wee see such a notable example thereof in our father Iacob, so much the rather (as I haue sayde alreadie) must wee take heede that wee mooue not a finger breadth, till wee knowe whether GOD will allowe that which wee doo, and that wee haue taken counsell of his woorde: For then wee cannot bee too bolde, when wee shall bee subiect vnto him, and when there shall be no foolishe ouerweening in vs too followe our owne fantasie. But wee can doo nothing of our selues, howe small soeuer it bee, which is not too much. And therefore (as I haue sayde,) let vs learne too beginne well, to the end, such an end may followe as we should desire. But in this which is here cōtained in Moyses, wee may haue a figure which shall not be vnfitte: and that is, that although Isaack was deceyued, that Esau was not there, and that Iacob through his sleightes obtayned his blessing, yet for all this, wee haue here an image of that blessing which is giuen vnto vs of GOD: For it is sayde in the firste Chapiter of the Ephesians, That wee are blessed with all heauenly graces and spirituall gifts. And after what sorte? Sainct Paule addeth, in Iesus Christe: For if GOD should looke vppon our persones, wee must bee his enemies, and hee must needes deteste vs by reason of sinne. Seeing therefore it is so, it behooueth vs too bee blessed without ourselues: that is too saye, in the persone of our heade.