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 when we shall have learned this which is here showed us, by S. Paul, it is certain that we shall have another manner of sobriety, and that we shall not give over to adore the secret of God, although at the first show he glorify not himself: but we shall always look to the beginning & to the end, and not to those means which may give us occasion, & engender in us some offence, or which may swallow us up. To be short, we see that God ⟨p. 151⟩directed Isaac in such sort that he was altogether blind: we will not say therefore that god gave Isaac here any sight to the end he might do that which appertained to his office, knowing well the cause why, and knowing all the proceeding of the matter: but he was blinded, and yet he held him as it were by the hand, and led him as a blind man which seeth nothing. And in deed we see in the Church, something that answereth to this, or else comes very near it: for (as it was said yesterday) The preaching of the Gospel is the power of God to salvation to all believers. When therefore we preach the grace of God whereby we are reconciled, inasmuch as our faults are pardoned us in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that the blood which he shed for us, is the true purgation thereof, too cleanse us: Lo then God who openeth the Heavens, and calleth us unto himself, albeit the word proceed from the mouth of a man. But in the mean season, I know not to whom this shall be available: For every one shall be a witness of his own faith: and when I speak & have not received my part therein, woe be upon me: & I should be more then blind: as also they have bin who shall have preached the Gospel, and shall be witnesses of the grace of God, and shall draw poor sinners to salvation, notwithstanding there is nothing remaining for them but condemnation. And why so? For they are as Players in whom there is no affection nor zeal. So then, God will be served oftentimes, of a people who are worth nothing, who ⟨image 161⟩are as dogs, & the very offscouring: & yet notwithstanding they are as the ministers of his power, to draw those to salvation, that are in the way of destruction. Moreover there are mercenaries that preach for their belly, and have no other regard but to themselves, or else would make themselves to be very well esteemed: and yet are these nevertheless the instruments of God for the salvation of all believers.

But when we shall haue learned this which is here shewed vs, by S. Paule, it is certaine that wee shall haue another manner of sobrietie, and that we shall not giue ouer to adore the secret of God, although at the first shew he glorifie not himself: but we shal alwaies look to the beginning & to the ende, and not to those meanes which may giue vs occasion, & ingender in vs some offence, or which may swallow vs vp. To be short, we see that God