A17722:376
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.
but howsoever ⟨image 172⟩it be, it can not be said that there was not one spark or drop of faith, in such sort that we be so cold, that we think no more of GOD, that the world hath quite overcome us. When therefore any do so wander, that they think only but on their lusts, a man would say that faith were quite dead. Now this may well be in appearance: but notwithstanding God yet reserveth some hidden seed: as we have said, that the fire may well be choked, and yet not altogether quenched, when it shall be raked up under the ashes. For all our affections, the riches, honours and pleasures of the world, are as ashes too choke up this light of God, which ought to guide and lead us. But our Lord having pity upon us, bringeth too pass, that a little after we acknowledge our faults: and whereas we were so cold, yea as it were altogether frozen, we begin to wax warm, in a good zeal, and to return unto him.
but howsoeuer ⟨image 172⟩it bee, it can not bee sayde that there was not one sparke or droppe of fayth, in such sorte that wee bee so colde, that wee thinke no more of GOD, that the worlde hath quite ouercome vs. When therefore any doo so wander, that they thinke onely but on their lustes, a man woulde saye that faith were quite dead. Nowe this maye well be in appearance: but notwithstanding God yet reserueth some hidden seede: as we haue said, that the fire may well bee choked, and yet not altogyther quenched, when it shall bee raked vp vnder the asshes. For al our affections, the riches, honours and pleasures of the worlde, are as ashes too choke vp this light of God, which ought to guide and leade vs. But our Lord hauing pitie vppon vs, bringeth too passe, that a little after we acknowledge our faultes: and whereas wee were so colde, yea as it were altogither frozen, wee beginne to waxe warme, in a good zeale, and to returne vnto him.
Lo then, how GOD accomplisheth that in his faithful, which we read here of our father Isaac. But this is not spoken too the end we should therefore tempt God, as though it were permitted unto us too suffer our selves in such sort too be carried astray by the Devil, that our faith might be (as it were) asleep in our hearts and souls: For it will not always fall out, that God will awake those which are asleep, and call them again which are estranged from him. Let us learn therefore to walk in fear &