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…

So then, when we see in this blessing of Jacob, that he speaketh of the dew of heaven, and of the fat of the earth, of abundance of corn and wine, it meaneth not that Isaac would only pray for this, that his son might be fed as an Hog in a sty, and that he should be fat and full here beneath: but he followed the order that God had appointed at that time: to wit, that he did give unto them pledges of a thing that was much more excellent. And that so it is, Isaac addeth a little after: That his son should rule over his enemies, and that all nations should bow their knees before him.

So then, when we see in this blessing of Iacob, that he speaketh of the deaw of heauen, and of the fat of the earth, of abūdaunce of corne and wine, it meaneth not that Isaack would onely pray for this, that his sonne might be fed as an Hog in a sty, and that he should be fatte and full heere beneath: but he folowed the order that God had appointed at that time: to witte, that he did giue vnto them pledges of a thing that was much more excellent. And that so it is, Isaack addeth a little after: That his sonne shoulde rule ouer his enemyes, and that all nations shoulde bowe their knees before him.

And by what right giveth he him this? Lo Isaac a poor stranger that must hire the land where he setteth up his pavilion, and must live as it were by the favour of an other: and yet nevertheless he maketh his son here a King of kings, and all the world to come and do him homage, and that he shall bring the whole earth into subjection. We see then very well that he troubleth not him self with earthly things: but he joineth both together, to wit, he taketh earthly blessings as pledges, to the end to bring his son further off: and in the meanwhile he hath his path right that might lead him to the kingdom of heaven, as was promised him. Now we know that things are offered to us in our Lord Jesus Christ, that may make us forget both honours, and all highnesses, dignities, and nobilities of the world. This therefore is the thing we have to mark upon this place. It is true that even at this day it must needs be that those temporal blessings which we receive from the hand of God, should be unto us as it were pledges of his goodness: but they are sometimes more, sometimes less. For in respect that the ancient fathers had not the like light as we have, and were in shadows and figures: this is the cause why God would not so well testify his favour unto them, as he hath done unto us at this day. For in the gospel we have our lord Jesus Christ: & it is said that we must be fashioned after his image. Now we know that he had nothing in this world, but all kind of miseries & confusions: