A17722:72
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.
Mark then for what cause, namely the first-borne was caste out from his place: and in the mean season Jacob who was the inferior, was set in his place, yea, to remain the only heir. When Malachi the Prophet speaketh of this,1 he reproacheth unto the Jews their ingratitude. It is true that this was for an outward sign, that GOD had chosen Jacob rather then Esau, forasmuch as he had given the land of Canaan to be his inheritance, and that Esau was sent far off amiddest the Mountains: but this is not the sentence whereupon the Prophet resteth: he looketh unto a thing much higher.
Marke then for what cause, namely the first-borne was caste out from his place: and in the meane season Iacob who was the inferiour, was set in his place, yea, to remaine the onely heyre. When Malachie the Prophet speaketh of this,1 he reprocheth vnto the Iewes their ingratitude. It is true that this was for an outwarde signe, that GOD had chosen Iacob rather then Esau, for asmuche as hee had giuen the lande of Canaan to be his inheritance, and that Esau was sent farre off amiddest the Mountaynes: but this is not the sentence wherevppon the Prophete resteth: hee looketh vnto a thing much higher.
- 1Mala. 1.2.
Saint Paul also when he useth this testimony of his, seeing that GOD had taken unto him self the stock of Jacob, he attributeth all this to his mere mercy: But the Prophet sayeth. And Esau, was he not the brother of Jacob? As if he should say. You are full of pride and obstinacy, yea, you burst your selves therein, ⟨image 32⟩and it costs you nothing to say, ô we are of the holy & sacred stock of Abraham: we are the Church, we are the people whom God hath blessed and sanctified: yea, & from whence have you this (saith he?) For was not Esau, Jacobs brother? You see the Idumeans your brethren: & are they the people of God? you say that they are strangers from the Church: & although they have circumcision, yet notwithstanding God hath cut them off. And whence cometh this (saith he?) Who is it that hath so separated them? If you will go from age to age: very well, you shall find how you are the Children of Jacob. And Esau, whose child was he I pray you? Did not he descend from Abraham and Isaac aswell as you? But here he speaketh not only of the land of Canaan: but he goeth farther, and saith That he loved Jacob, & hated Esau. And this love which he bare unto Jacob, from whence proceeded it? It is certain that Jacob could not be accepted of him (as we have said) being considered in himself. For behold him the child of wrath, & bringing nothing from the womb of his mother, but this horrible curse, which was cast upon all mankind: notwithstanding God did love him. Now God loveth not iniquity, he hateth sin as we know. How then loved he Jacob? This was for that he drew him from that perdition, wherein he was. And why did he hate Esau? Now it is very true that there is just cause why God should hate all mankind: For as we have said, there is nothing in us but vice and iniquity: