A17722:88
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.
This then is a Dream, to think that she went to the schools of the Prophets: but she had a revelation, as our text here showeth. And our condition at this day is not altogether like, and neither have we also such need thereof. For then there was neither the Law nor the Gospel. At this day we have all perfection of doctrine: For God in old time hath spoken unto our Fathers, and not in secrete, nor in obscurity (as sayeth Isaiah the Prophet.)
This then is a Dreame, to thinke that shee went to the schooles of the Prophets: but she had a reuelation, as our text heere sheweth. And our condition at this day is not altogither like, and neither haue we also such neede thereof. For then there was neither the Lawe nor the Gospel. At this day wee haue all perfection of doctrine: For God in olde time hath spoken vnto our Fathers, and not in secrete, nor in obscuritie (as sayeth Esaie the Prophet.)
And this was not in vain that he said, that men should seek him: as Moses protesteth: Behold the way, walk in the same: I have set before you this day, the way of salvation, and Heaven and Earth are witnesses unto me, that I have declared unto you what you must do, to come unto everlasting life. And ⟨image 38⟩afterwards although God have his secretes (saith he in an other place) yet notwithstanding this, that is to say the sum of the law, is for you and for your children: to the end that you should be taught in the way of salvation. But besides this we have yet the Gospel, wherein our Lord Jesus Christ hath shined unto us in all fullness: For he is that sun of righteousness. Seeing therefore we have so sufficient testimonies, shall we demand that Angels come down from Heaven, and that God will yet open unto us that is hidden from us? But let us (as I have already said) content our selves with the holy Scripture. And when there is any cause of inquiring after God, if we will have him for our master, let us come to the holy Scripture: & let us remember that which Moses saith: Thou shalt not say, Who is he that shall ascend above the Clouds? Who is he that shall descend into the depth? Who is he that shall go over the sea? The word of the Lord is in thy heart, and in thy mouth, saith he. And seeing it is so that Moses hath protested this in his time: at this day we have less occasion to wander here and there, and to run at all adventure to inquire after the will of God. For (as I have already said) the Gospel containeth all perfection of doctrine: and also behold the only mean, whereby we may be thoroughly satisfied, and have our minds settled and stayed: that is to say, that we hearken to God speaking, and show our selves teachable, to receive that which he shall say. For it is certain, that as he hath answered to our mother Rebecca, that which he