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 moreover, we must be clothed with the robe of our Lord Jesus Christ. For what can we bring, but altogether filthiness and pollution? We are wholly made in iniquity: therefore we must be as stink before GOD: but when we are clad with the obedience of his only Son, O then, Lo a sweet savour, wherein, we are acceptable unto him. So that although (as I have said already) in respect of men, there was nothing but confusion, (and as they say) all was jumbled together, yet nevertheless we may apply this too our profit. Jacob was a looking glass of the whole Church: and yet were we blessed in his person, as he was blessed in the person of his elder brother. For the question is not here, of finding it altogether like. If a man say that Esau resembled not Jesus Christ: it is very true: but yet in comparison, it needeth not that every part and parcel agree together: it is sufficient, that we see some agreement and likeness in part: as it is said, that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be as a thief in the night. And what? will he steal? It were a foolish thing too think thus: but it is enough that we see, that they which are asleep in the world shall be taken upon the sudden. So now when he speaketh of the birthright of Esau, and that Isaac represented the person of God, and that Jacob was blessed under the robe and countenance of his brother: herein we see, that that was accomplished ⟨p. 149⟩which we alleged even now: to wit, that we shall be put back if we come in our own name, & in our own person, to get favour before God: but when we shall come there under the shadow of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the first borne amongst all the Children of God. See how we are received. But notwithstanding it is said: That Isaac demanded, who art thou my son? I am thy son Esau?

And moreouer, wee muste bee clothed with the robe of our Lorde Iesus Christe. For what can wee bring, but altogyther filthinesse and polution? Wee are wholly made in iniquitie: therefore wee must bee as stinke before GOD: but when wee are cladde with the obedience of his onely Sonne, O then, Loe a sweete sauoure, wherein, wee are acceptable vnto him. So that although (as I haue saide alreadie) in respect of men, there was nothing but confusion, (and as they saye) all was iumbled togyther, yet neuerthelesse wee may applie this too our profite. Iacob was a looking glasse of the whole Church: and yet were wee blessed in his persone, as hee was blessed in the persone of his elder brother. For the question is not here, of finding it altogither like. If a man saye that Esau resembled not Iesus Christe: it is very true: but yet in comparison, it needeth not that euery parte and parcell agree togyther: it is sufficient, that wee see some agreement and likenesse in parte: as it is sayde, that the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christe shall be as a thiefe in the night. And what? will hee steale? It were a foolishe thing too thinke thus: but it is ynough that wee see, that they which are asleepe in the worlde shall bee taken vppon the suddaine. So nowe when hee speaketh of the birthright of Esau, and that Isaack represented the person of God, and that Iacob was blessed vnder the robe and countenaunce of his brother: heerein wee see, that that was accomplished