A17722:36
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…
Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in Jacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherein every Christian may see the excellent benefits of God towards his children, and his marvellous judgements towards the reprobate, first published in the French tongue, & now translated into English, by John Field, for the comfort of all Christians.Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in Iacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherin euery Christian may see the excellent benefites of God towardes his children, and his maruelous iudgements towards the reprobate, firste published in the French toung, & now translated into English, by Iohn Fielde, for the comfort of all Christians.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Toby Cooke, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Tobie Cooke, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It is true that one hath translated this to dwell, and the word importeth to fall: but it signifieth to rest, to dwell, and to have a house. This then is the true and natural meaning, that Ismael was not far off (as already we have seen) from the children of Keturah, but that he remained a near neighbour of the land of Canaan, which was promised to Isaac: notwithstanding this is true also, that he possessed not that land there, for it was meet that he should be barred from thence. And who is it that had driven him thence? For after the death of Abraham, it is certain, that he might have tarried there if he would. Isaac had ⟨image 15⟩nothing but the Sepulchre which his father had gotten: he was not lead thence to have any great and large possessions: he had nothing, unless it were altogether borrowed and by the leave of the inhabitants.
It is true that one hath translated this to dwell, and the woorde importeth to fall: but it signifieth to reste, to dwell, and to haue a house. This then is the true and natural meaning, that Ismael vvas not farre off (as already vve haue seene) from the children of Keturah, but that hee remayned a neere neighbour of the lande of Canaan, vvhich vvas promised to Isaack: notvvithstanding this is true also, that he possessed not that land there, for it vvas meete that he should be barred from thence. And vvho is it that had driuen him thence? For after the death of Abraham, it is certain, that he might haue taried there if he vvold. Isaack had ⟨image 15⟩nothing but the Sepulchre vvhich his father had gotten: he vvas not lead thence to haue any greate and large possessions: hee had nothing, vnlesse it were altogether borrowed and by the leaue of the inhabitantes.
Ismael therefore might well have made his abode and nest there, if he had listed. But he went from thence: was this to obey GOD? No, For he was full of pride & rebellion. So he would rather have blasphemed God, when he had thought I am here put apart, as though I were not of my fathers house. Therefore I must stay my self in the country where I was borne. But God doth lead him thither without his knowledge, wherefore he goeth thither, yea by a secret inspiration. See how God worketh towards the unbelievers: he turneth them, he windeth them from one side to an other.