1 00:00:01,850 --> 00:00:05,090 The sermon we'll hear read today is the 2 00:00:05,090 --> 00:00:08,590 Fifth Sermon of Jacob and Esau from the 3 00:00:08,590 --> 00:00:10,890 minister John Calvin from the book titled Sermons 4 00:00:10,890 --> 00:00:14,210 on Election and Reprobation based on the Old 5 00:00:14,210 --> 00:00:16,530 Paths Publications edition of 1996. 6 00:00:18,490 --> 00:00:20,570 And the minister takes for his text the 7 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:24,650 book of Genesis, chapter 25, verses 29 through 8 00:00:24,650 --> 00:00:25,370 34. 9 00:00:27,270 --> 00:00:31,450 Now as Jacob was seething pottage, Esau came 10 00:00:31,450 --> 00:00:33,110 out of the field and was hungry. 11 00:00:34,110 --> 00:00:37,790 Wherefore Esau said unto Jacob, Suffer me to 12 00:00:37,790 --> 00:00:40,730 keel forth of this pottage so red, for 13 00:00:40,730 --> 00:00:41,410 I am weary. 14 00:00:42,510 --> 00:00:44,990 Therefore everyone called his name Edom. 15 00:00:46,070 --> 00:00:49,870 But Jacob answered, Sell me now thy birthright. 16 00:00:49,870 --> 00:00:54,150 And Esau said, Behold, I hasten to death, 17 00:00:54,810 --> 00:00:56,970 and what avail this birthright unto me? 18 00:00:57,770 --> 00:01:01,250 To whom Jacob said, Swear unto me this 19 00:01:01,250 --> 00:01:01,550 day. 20 00:01:02,710 --> 00:01:04,010 Who swear unto him? 21 00:01:04,610 --> 00:01:07,030 So he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 22 00:01:07,850 --> 00:01:10,830 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of 23 00:01:10,830 --> 00:01:13,230 lentils, and he did eat and drink and 24 00:01:13,230 --> 00:01:15,130 rose up and went his way. 25 00:01:15,670 --> 00:01:18,650 And Esau contemned his birthright. 26 00:01:18,650 --> 00:01:24,410 He said previously that God approves and ratifies 27 00:01:24,410 --> 00:01:27,410 his election when he governs his children by 28 00:01:27,410 --> 00:01:29,830 his Holy Spirit and that he makes them 29 00:01:29,830 --> 00:01:32,530 to strive up to the heavenly life and 30 00:01:32,530 --> 00:01:35,950 gives them in holy affection to despise the 31 00:01:35,950 --> 00:01:38,130 world and to look up more high. 32 00:01:39,030 --> 00:01:42,650 Conversely, that he discovers what man's nature is 33 00:01:42,650 --> 00:01:45,570 when he lets loose the bridle to those 34 00:01:45,570 --> 00:01:48,190 that are reprobates so that they become as 35 00:01:48,190 --> 00:01:51,570 it were brute beasts looking to nothing but 36 00:01:51,570 --> 00:01:54,130 this brittle and temporary life. 37 00:01:55,010 --> 00:01:57,290 We have the confirmation of this doctrine in 38 00:01:57,290 --> 00:02:00,190 the history which Moses here recites. 39 00:02:01,050 --> 00:02:03,150 For on the one side he sets Esau 40 00:02:03,150 --> 00:02:06,450 before us who returning out of the fields 41 00:02:06,450 --> 00:02:09,210 from hunting was as a starving wolf. 42 00:02:09,210 --> 00:02:12,730 He desires nothing but to eat and moreover 43 00:02:12,730 --> 00:02:15,710 is content to sell his birthright with an 44 00:02:15,710 --> 00:02:15,970 oath. 45 00:02:16,570 --> 00:02:20,390 And here he renounces his birthright so that 46 00:02:20,390 --> 00:02:22,730 he may have wherewith to fill his belly. 47 00:02:23,870 --> 00:02:27,930 He then esteems the pottage so highly that 48 00:02:27,930 --> 00:02:30,910 his birthright was nothing to him in comparison 49 00:02:30,910 --> 00:02:31,590 thereof. 50 00:02:32,910 --> 00:02:35,410 Now let us mark as it has already 51 00:02:35,410 --> 00:02:37,710 been touched before and as we shall see 52 00:02:37,710 --> 00:02:41,390 more fully that this was not an earthly 53 00:02:41,390 --> 00:02:44,330 privilege namely that he should have a double 54 00:02:44,330 --> 00:02:47,270 portion and that he should be advanced in 55 00:02:47,270 --> 00:02:48,330 his father's house. 56 00:02:49,430 --> 00:02:52,170 But it was to be the chief of 57 00:02:52,170 --> 00:02:55,230 the church of God waiting till our Lord 58 00:02:55,230 --> 00:02:58,030 Jesus Christ should appear for the salvation of 59 00:02:58,030 --> 00:02:58,530 the world. 60 00:02:58,530 --> 00:03:01,370 Now although this was a thing of such 61 00:03:01,370 --> 00:03:06,510 importance yet Esau prefers his belly and he 62 00:03:06,510 --> 00:03:08,470 cares for nothing so that he may have 63 00:03:08,470 --> 00:03:08,850 meat. 64 00:03:10,030 --> 00:03:13,390 On the other side Jacob although he had 65 00:03:13,390 --> 00:03:16,710 made ready his dinner or his supper though 66 00:03:16,710 --> 00:03:18,970 it was his meal and that he had 67 00:03:18,970 --> 00:03:22,730 an appetite to eat yet he chose rather 68 00:03:22,730 --> 00:03:26,850 to abstain and deprive himself than to let 69 00:03:26,850 --> 00:03:28,910 slip the occasion of getting the birthright. 70 00:03:30,190 --> 00:03:32,890 We see then that Esau was brought as 71 00:03:32,890 --> 00:03:35,450 a beastly man who sought nothing but to 72 00:03:35,450 --> 00:03:36,430 be fed and nourished. 73 00:03:37,170 --> 00:03:39,590 Yes and to be greedily fed. 74 00:03:40,950 --> 00:03:43,690 Jacob is a weak man subject to hunger 75 00:03:43,690 --> 00:03:47,430 and thirst yet he restrains himself and looks 76 00:03:47,430 --> 00:03:50,290 up higher than to this world and forgoes 77 00:03:50,290 --> 00:03:54,050 bodily meat to obtain a spiritual benefit which 78 00:03:54,050 --> 00:03:56,490 was of more value than a hundred yes 79 00:03:56,490 --> 00:03:58,270 than ten thousand lives. 80 00:03:59,210 --> 00:04:02,150 Mark briefly what we have to learn of 81 00:04:02,150 --> 00:04:02,670 this history. 82 00:04:04,530 --> 00:04:06,490 Now it is very true that a man 83 00:04:06,490 --> 00:04:09,070 might think at the first blush that this 84 00:04:09,070 --> 00:04:13,030 was but a childish toy for what wrong 85 00:04:13,030 --> 00:04:15,529 was it in Esau after that he had 86 00:04:15,529 --> 00:04:18,310 labored and taken great pain yes to bring 87 00:04:18,310 --> 00:04:21,010 venison to his father if he was weary 88 00:04:21,010 --> 00:04:24,750 if he was hungry and should demand to 89 00:04:24,750 --> 00:04:25,010 eat. 90 00:04:25,510 --> 00:04:29,170 It seems that this should not be imputed 91 00:04:29,170 --> 00:04:31,570 to him for a fault and again on 92 00:04:31,570 --> 00:04:35,070 the other side someone might say what cruelty 93 00:04:35,070 --> 00:04:37,870 was there in Jacob seeing his brother in 94 00:04:37,870 --> 00:04:40,450 such need not to help him at the 95 00:04:40,450 --> 00:04:43,770 least with half of his meal for he 96 00:04:43,770 --> 00:04:46,430 should not have put off his brother's complaints 97 00:04:46,430 --> 00:04:49,250 till he had cried for hunger but rather 98 00:04:49,250 --> 00:04:52,430 ought frankly to have offered him of that 99 00:04:52,430 --> 00:04:56,310 which he had prepared for himself for if 100 00:04:56,310 --> 00:04:58,150 he had seen but a stranger to be 101 00:04:58,150 --> 00:05:01,230 so needy so weary and so weak he 102 00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:03,390 ought to have given him some refreshment and 103 00:05:03,390 --> 00:05:07,630 food but behold his own brother for they 104 00:05:07,630 --> 00:05:11,230 were both born in one belly yet he 105 00:05:11,230 --> 00:05:14,090 leaves him in this case and will not 106 00:05:14,090 --> 00:05:17,530 grant to give him one spoonful of his 107 00:05:17,530 --> 00:05:21,610 pottage one might say therefore that Jacob was 108 00:05:21,610 --> 00:05:26,230 too rude and again why should he compel 109 00:05:26,230 --> 00:05:28,970 him to sell his birthright for here he 110 00:05:28,970 --> 00:05:30,950 put the knife as it were to his 111 00:05:30,950 --> 00:05:34,270 throat and we know that bargains are always 112 00:05:34,270 --> 00:05:36,510 of no force when there shall be any 113 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:40,550 violence offered if men do anything by constraint 114 00:05:40,550 --> 00:05:43,430 or if they promise anything by compulsion rationally 115 00:05:43,850 --> 00:05:47,190 they are not bound to keep it but 116 00:05:47,190 --> 00:05:50,510 see Esau who was hungry he could do 117 00:05:50,510 --> 00:05:52,490 no more he was so far past himself 118 00:05:52,490 --> 00:05:54,810 that he knows not what his birthright means 119 00:05:55,790 --> 00:05:58,630 so then besides the cruelty of Jacob there 120 00:05:58,630 --> 00:06:02,830 was an immediately obvious oversight and when he 121 00:06:02,830 --> 00:06:07,530 bargained what whatsoever came between yet this ought 122 00:06:07,530 --> 00:06:09,810 not in any case to hold by any 123 00:06:09,810 --> 00:06:16,510 right or reason well notwithstanding all this this 124 00:06:16,510 --> 00:06:19,730 is not recited to reprove Jacob as though 125 00:06:19,730 --> 00:06:22,430 he had committed any fault or offended either 126 00:06:22,430 --> 00:06:25,210 God or his brother but to the contrary 127 00:06:25,210 --> 00:06:28,760 the Holy Ghost gives him here testimony that 128 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:33,420 he shows us the way how to search 129 00:06:33,420 --> 00:06:36,600 after heavenly things and first of all we 130 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:40,240 must seek the kingdom of God and renounce 131 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:45,580 our own desires or else somehow captivate and 132 00:06:45,580 --> 00:06:48,200 bring them under that they hinder us not 133 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,980 from looking always to that which is most 134 00:06:51,980 --> 00:06:59,110 important and conversely the example of Esau is 135 00:06:59,110 --> 00:07:01,310 set before us to the end as the 136 00:07:01,310 --> 00:07:05,330 apostle shows us in Hebrews 12 verse 6 137 00:07:05,330 --> 00:07:09,590 we should not be profane as he was 138 00:07:09,590 --> 00:07:12,370 that is to say that we should be 139 00:07:12,370 --> 00:07:15,850 given to the earth but that we should 140 00:07:15,850 --> 00:07:18,870 think that which is promised us is belonging 141 00:07:18,870 --> 00:07:23,770 to eternal life so then we must not 142 00:07:23,770 --> 00:07:27,490 judge of this history after our natural opinion 143 00:07:28,390 --> 00:07:31,330 but we must wait to what end and 144 00:07:31,330 --> 00:07:34,070 purpose it is here rehearsed to the end 145 00:07:34,070 --> 00:07:36,630 we may the better make our profit of 146 00:07:36,630 --> 00:07:40,490 it now I have already said in the 147 00:07:40,490 --> 00:07:42,710 first place that God would as it were 148 00:07:42,710 --> 00:07:45,850 seal his election here in the person of 149 00:07:45,850 --> 00:07:49,530 Jacob and that he has showed also in 150 00:07:49,530 --> 00:07:51,750 the person of Esau that he was of 151 00:07:51,750 --> 00:07:54,110 the number of those that were cast off 152 00:07:54,110 --> 00:07:58,090 from him it is very certain that if 153 00:07:58,090 --> 00:08:00,450 Jacob had not been governed by the spirit 154 00:08:00,450 --> 00:08:03,470 of God he would have been altogether like 155 00:08:03,470 --> 00:08:06,630 his brother Esau but we must see how 156 00:08:06,630 --> 00:08:09,230 the spirit of God was rather given unto 157 00:08:09,230 --> 00:08:14,870 him than unto Esau we shall not find 158 00:08:14,870 --> 00:08:18,270 this diversity but in the only free goodness 159 00:08:18,270 --> 00:08:23,390 of God so then let us know that 160 00:08:23,390 --> 00:08:27,130 Jacob was led with an holy affection for 161 00:08:27,130 --> 00:08:29,830 as much as God had held him of 162 00:08:29,830 --> 00:08:33,630 the number and company of his children as 163 00:08:33,630 --> 00:08:37,510 also St. Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2 164 00:08:37,510 --> 00:08:41,770 verse 10 that we are the workmanship of 165 00:08:41,770 --> 00:08:46,210 God created to good works the which he 166 00:08:46,210 --> 00:08:51,190 hath prepared he speaks there not of all 167 00:08:51,190 --> 00:08:54,170 men in general it is true that God 168 00:08:54,170 --> 00:08:58,930 has created us all without difference but there 169 00:08:58,930 --> 00:09:01,950 is a new creation in those whom God 170 00:09:01,950 --> 00:09:05,110 reforms and whom he purges from their wicked 171 00:09:05,110 --> 00:09:07,970 lusts to the end that he may bring 172 00:09:07,970 --> 00:09:10,970 them to himself and conform them to his 173 00:09:10,970 --> 00:09:15,090 righteousness so that they desire nothing more than 174 00:09:15,090 --> 00:09:19,990 to honor and serve him purely mark therefore 175 00:09:19,990 --> 00:09:23,110 a second creation which God works in his 176 00:09:23,110 --> 00:09:28,030 children so then let us know that if 177 00:09:28,030 --> 00:09:31,390 God reach out his hand to us to 178 00:09:31,390 --> 00:09:34,590 show us the way of salvation if he 179 00:09:34,590 --> 00:09:39,090 give us courage cheerfully to march forward and 180 00:09:39,090 --> 00:09:43,670 strengthen us also to continue therein that then 181 00:09:43,670 --> 00:09:47,470 he shows that his election is not in 182 00:09:47,470 --> 00:09:50,610 vain and frivolous but has its full effect 183 00:09:50,610 --> 00:09:55,410 and strength to conclude when he abandons us 184 00:09:56,350 --> 00:09:59,490 and that we are as strays throughout all 185 00:09:59,490 --> 00:10:01,970 our life that we forget the salvation of 186 00:10:01,970 --> 00:10:05,150 our souls let us know that in this 187 00:10:05,150 --> 00:10:10,770 he declares his curse upon us and so 188 00:10:10,770 --> 00:10:13,770 let us learn to tremble as often as 189 00:10:13,770 --> 00:10:17,070 we see men doled in beastliness so as 190 00:10:17,070 --> 00:10:19,530 they know not their own state and condition 191 00:10:19,530 --> 00:10:22,490 neither to what end they were created nor 192 00:10:22,490 --> 00:10:25,290 wherefore God has placed them in the world 193 00:10:25,290 --> 00:10:28,630 when we see this it is fit and 194 00:10:28,630 --> 00:10:31,930 proper for us I say to tremble and 195 00:10:31,930 --> 00:10:34,430 to pray to God that he will not 196 00:10:34,430 --> 00:10:37,690 suffer us so to be estranged from him 197 00:10:38,330 --> 00:10:41,030 but that he will always hold us in 198 00:10:41,030 --> 00:10:44,150 and keep us and that he will imprint 199 00:10:44,150 --> 00:10:47,430 in our hearts such an assurance of the 200 00:10:47,430 --> 00:10:50,070 hope which he has given us that we 201 00:10:50,070 --> 00:10:53,270 may bear therein the right mark of his 202 00:10:53,270 --> 00:10:56,610 election as if men spread a little wax 203 00:10:56,610 --> 00:10:59,230 upon a seal the form of the seal 204 00:10:59,230 --> 00:11:02,690 will remain perfect but the wax has the 205 00:11:02,690 --> 00:11:08,010 shape and image thereof so when our Lord 206 00:11:08,010 --> 00:11:10,630 engraves his fear in our hearts by his 207 00:11:10,630 --> 00:11:13,970 Holy Spirit and such an obedience towards him 208 00:11:13,970 --> 00:11:16,390 as his children ought to perform unto him 209 00:11:16,390 --> 00:11:19,090 this is as if he should set upon 210 00:11:19,090 --> 00:11:22,970 us the seal of his election and as 211 00:11:22,970 --> 00:11:25,930 if he should truly testify that he has 212 00:11:25,930 --> 00:11:29,050 adopted us and that he is a father 213 00:11:29,050 --> 00:11:32,210 unto us for as much as we have 214 00:11:32,210 --> 00:11:35,490 the pledge of his free adoption that is 215 00:11:35,490 --> 00:11:40,920 to say the Holy Ghost but now let 216 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,600 us come to that which is here handled 217 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:51,400 particularly it is said that Esau being returned 218 00:11:52,140 --> 00:11:55,200 he asked of his brother Jacob that he 219 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:58,080 would give him of that red potage and 220 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:01,440 of that meat he says it but this 221 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:04,520 was as a war in contempt and yet 222 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,660 in this we see that he was not 223 00:12:06,660 --> 00:12:09,160 so delicate and fine mouthed but he could 224 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,740 do no more he was so weary that 225 00:12:11,740 --> 00:12:13,760 he knew not what he did and therefore 226 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:17,680 he asks nothing but to be satisfied and 227 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:22,140 hereupon he says give unto me as if 228 00:12:22,140 --> 00:12:24,360 he should say it is all one to 229 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:26,800 me whether I eat brown bread or white 230 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,600 so that I may fill my belly admittable 231 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,460 but with acorns it is all one to 232 00:12:32,460 --> 00:12:35,940 me a man might here find some color 233 00:12:35,940 --> 00:12:39,520 to excuse Esau and it seems that this 234 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:43,480 might well have been pardoned him but what? 235 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,820 so much the more in this must we 236 00:12:46,820 --> 00:12:52,260 behold that our desires how natural and lawful 237 00:12:52,260 --> 00:12:56,260 soever they are are yet nevertheless to be 238 00:12:56,260 --> 00:13:00,540 repressed when there is any question of the 239 00:13:00,540 --> 00:13:03,560 heavenly life for then we must bring under 240 00:13:03,560 --> 00:13:08,260 every consideration and rather loose life and hundred 241 00:13:08,260 --> 00:13:11,080 times then go out of the path of 242 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:14,660 salvation it is not enough therefore that men 243 00:13:14,660 --> 00:13:18,300 abstain from those acts that are altogether dissolute 244 00:13:18,300 --> 00:13:20,560 and wicked and whereof they may be ashamed 245 00:13:20,560 --> 00:13:25,940 but yet whatsoever desire they shall have yes 246 00:13:25,940 --> 00:13:28,880 permitted unto them of God which is not 247 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:33,680 altogether condemned yet must they tame them when 248 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:37,160 there shall be any comparison with spiritual benefits 249 00:13:38,140 --> 00:13:41,220 but hereof we shall yet entreat more at 250 00:13:41,220 --> 00:13:43,880 large in the meantime it is necessary for 251 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:48,300 us to note this point that Esau sought 252 00:13:48,300 --> 00:13:52,160 not after great dainties he saw the pottage 253 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:55,020 whereof mention is here made and he asks 254 00:13:55,020 --> 00:14:00,220 nothing but to be satisfied with it now 255 00:14:00,220 --> 00:14:04,160 Jacob asks of him his birthright in payment 256 00:14:05,380 --> 00:14:08,160 if he had asked him through ambition and 257 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:11,640 that it had not belonged to him undoubtedly 258 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:14,480 it had been no bargain on the other 259 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:17,940 side the malice which he had could by 260 00:14:17,940 --> 00:14:22,080 no means have been excused and farther this 261 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:24,980 was to commit an outrageous and thievish act 262 00:14:24,980 --> 00:14:28,540 so to hold his brother's throat shut up 263 00:14:28,540 --> 00:14:30,660 as to say if you will not forego 264 00:14:30,660 --> 00:14:33,080 unto me all that belongs to you I 265 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:34,640 will not give you one morsel to eat 266 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:38,420 rather you shall perish and to what extremity 267 00:14:38,420 --> 00:14:42,580 would this grow but Jacob demands nothing of 268 00:14:42,580 --> 00:14:46,900 Esau but that which was before given him 269 00:14:46,900 --> 00:14:50,120 for he was taught that before the two 270 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:53,620 children were born now already this sentence was 271 00:14:53,620 --> 00:14:56,980 pronounced that God had declared that it must 272 00:14:56,980 --> 00:15:00,060 needs be that the elder must serve the 273 00:15:00,060 --> 00:15:05,160 younger Jacob then in respect of God possessed 274 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:10,480 already through faith the birthright it is true 275 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:12,220 that that stood him in no stead in 276 00:15:12,220 --> 00:15:14,820 the judgment of the world but the question 277 00:15:14,820 --> 00:15:18,440 is here of the right title that he 278 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:20,420 knew that God had appointed him to be 279 00:15:20,420 --> 00:15:23,540 the firstborn and had declared that the birthright 280 00:15:23,540 --> 00:15:27,160 belonged unto him so then he robs not 281 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:29,900 Esau of anything that was his but he 282 00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:34,640 rather asks again that which was his own 283 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,140 as he should have said because you are 284 00:15:38,140 --> 00:15:41,300 first come out of the womb you despise 285 00:15:41,300 --> 00:15:43,940 the sentence that God has given both concerning 286 00:15:43,940 --> 00:15:47,060 me and yourself but yet that must stand 287 00:15:47,060 --> 00:15:49,260 which God has declared it cannot be called 288 00:15:49,260 --> 00:15:52,760 back again for myself I always remain in 289 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:55,520 this hope that I shall obtain that which 290 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,220 was promised unto me but for your part 291 00:15:58,220 --> 00:16:00,180 this is to the end that you should 292 00:16:00,180 --> 00:16:03,240 understand that I set more store by the 293 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,420 service of God than by my own life 294 00:16:06,420 --> 00:16:11,900 and therefore sell me your birthright we see 295 00:16:11,900 --> 00:16:14,620 here briefly that Jacob would not get the 296 00:16:14,620 --> 00:16:17,080 good of another by deceit or malice neither 297 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:20,380 compelled his brother to spoil himself of that 298 00:16:20,380 --> 00:16:23,660 blessing which belonged to him but he demands 299 00:16:23,660 --> 00:16:26,900 that that which God had given him might 300 00:16:26,900 --> 00:16:32,080 be approved and ratified among men lo then 301 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:34,060 the sum of that which is spoken here 302 00:16:34,060 --> 00:16:38,080 and therefore they who will use so great 303 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:42,020 rigor to get the substance of another and 304 00:16:42,020 --> 00:16:44,600 to entice themselves with the loss of their 305 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,580 neighbors have not with which to make them 306 00:16:47,580 --> 00:16:51,480 any buckler here as we shall see very 307 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:56,340 many who will spy out occasions that if 308 00:16:56,340 --> 00:16:58,720 a poor man be in any extreme necessity 309 00:16:59,070 --> 00:17:01,040 it must needs be that he be robbed 310 00:17:01,940 --> 00:17:05,960 lo then they will pray and violently grate 311 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:08,660 upon him for then they will bargain with 312 00:17:08,660 --> 00:17:10,579 him when they see him in this case 313 00:17:11,300 --> 00:17:14,660 and oh say they who live upon spoils 314 00:17:14,660 --> 00:17:18,420 as hawks do upon the prey this man 315 00:17:18,420 --> 00:17:22,140 must pass through my hands lo then a 316 00:17:22,140 --> 00:17:24,440 poor man who shall have but one field 317 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:26,960 or one meadow if he be indebted or 318 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:29,060 fail to find money to pay if he 319 00:17:29,060 --> 00:17:31,560 come to some usurer he will say unto 320 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,480 him lo there is no remedy I must 321 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:38,420 needs sell you such a piece oh I 322 00:17:38,420 --> 00:17:40,980 have no money says he at this time 323 00:17:41,900 --> 00:17:43,980 and yet in the meantime he will keep 324 00:17:43,980 --> 00:17:47,060 his money in his purse watching that occasion 325 00:17:47,060 --> 00:17:50,040 which is as a robber for as much 326 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:52,820 as he seeks the means to deceive his 327 00:17:52,820 --> 00:17:56,360 neighbor this is commonly seen that he that 328 00:17:56,360 --> 00:17:58,580 shall be pinched with any misery he shall 329 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:01,220 be eaten even to the bones of such 330 00:18:01,220 --> 00:18:04,400 as only have the means to help those 331 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:09,120 that are in necessity but if such wicked 332 00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:13,840 wretches as I have said will cloak their 333 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,580 iniquity in the person of Jacob it is 334 00:18:17,580 --> 00:18:23,060 too vain for Jacob sucked not another man's 335 00:18:23,060 --> 00:18:26,940 goods unto himself nor he sought not to 336 00:18:26,940 --> 00:18:29,500 enlarge himself to the end to lessen his 337 00:18:29,500 --> 00:18:33,260 brother but he remained in the possession of 338 00:18:33,260 --> 00:18:36,740 that which God had given him the birthright 339 00:18:36,740 --> 00:18:40,660 was his own already indeed not according to 340 00:18:40,660 --> 00:18:43,540 the order of nature but because it so 341 00:18:43,540 --> 00:18:47,940 pleased God inasmuch therefore as he deceived none 342 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:52,800 did wrong to no man neither used any 343 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,140 rigor or excess to draw another's good unto 344 00:18:55,140 --> 00:18:58,760 himself we must not take any pattern and 345 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:03,100 patronage from hence of those same thieveries and 346 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:07,240 oppressions which commonly are exercised among men and 347 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:09,300 for as much as the question is here 348 00:19:09,300 --> 00:19:11,660 of a spiritual benefit that Jacob seeks not 349 00:19:11,660 --> 00:19:15,580 riches he seeks not his conveniences nor any 350 00:19:15,580 --> 00:19:19,000 earthly honor to advance himself above his brother 351 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,600 he forsakes all this this is all one 352 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:25,640 to him but he would have that which 353 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:30,380 God had promised him that is that though 354 00:19:30,380 --> 00:19:33,820 he be small in this world though he 355 00:19:33,820 --> 00:19:38,960 be afflicted tormented and devoured and that men 356 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:41,540 do him many injuries it is all one 357 00:19:41,540 --> 00:19:46,420 unto him so that this inestimable treasure be 358 00:19:46,420 --> 00:19:50,680 reserved unto him that is to say that 359 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:54,500 of his race shall come the salvation of 360 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:57,520 the world and that with this he is 361 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:01,880 made of the company and fellowship of God's 362 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:08,430 children touching Esau his answer we see already 363 00:20:08,430 --> 00:20:11,250 that which the apostle says and that which 364 00:20:11,250 --> 00:20:14,950 we have also alleged that he was altogether 365 00:20:14,950 --> 00:20:20,110 a profane man I haste to death to 366 00:20:20,110 --> 00:20:24,290 what purpose he says shall my birthright serve 367 00:20:24,290 --> 00:20:28,350 me in saying that he hasteth to death 368 00:20:28,350 --> 00:20:30,890 and that his birthright served him to no 369 00:20:30,890 --> 00:20:34,490 purpose we see that he was altogether dull 370 00:20:34,490 --> 00:20:36,790 and block headed and that it was all 371 00:20:36,790 --> 00:20:39,410 one to him so that he might pass 372 00:20:39,410 --> 00:20:44,280 this present life and lo also what this 373 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:48,580 word profane imports for it is contrary to 374 00:20:48,580 --> 00:20:52,160 the word holy and what means this word 375 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,360 holy to be holy is when we are 376 00:20:55,360 --> 00:21:00,480 separated and put apart to serve God for 377 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,860 all the world is full of filthiness and 378 00:21:02,860 --> 00:21:05,860 iniquity as Saint Paul says and when we 379 00:21:05,860 --> 00:21:09,600 shall have our conversation here beneath after the 380 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:13,800 common manner this is to defile ourselves with 381 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:17,100 all filthiness but to the end we may 382 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:19,620 be held for the children of God it 383 00:21:19,620 --> 00:21:23,440 is necessary that we be separated even as 384 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:26,080 Saint Paul speaks thereof in the first chapter 385 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:30,340 of the first epistle to the Corinthians it 386 00:21:30,340 --> 00:21:33,560 is necessary that God gather us unto himself 387 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:37,380 for if we walk among thorns that is 388 00:21:37,380 --> 00:21:41,400 but to scratch us every minute if we 389 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,360 go through dirt and clay that is to 390 00:21:44,360 --> 00:21:49,940 defile disfigure us it is necessary then that 391 00:21:49,940 --> 00:21:53,540 we be separated but as I have said 392 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:58,040 the word profane is contrary and opposite to 393 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:02,060 this what then must we do this is 394 00:22:02,060 --> 00:22:05,300 it that a man take good heed to 395 00:22:05,300 --> 00:22:09,320 himself yes even to his body for even 396 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:11,160 like as there are two parts in us 397 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:13,780 namely the body and the soul so the 398 00:22:13,780 --> 00:22:17,040 spiritual life is when we know where unto 399 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:19,200 God has called us and where unto he 400 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:23,100 daily bids us namely that we should be 401 00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:26,800 heirs of the kingdom of heaven see what 402 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:29,640 it is to sanctify ourselves as it is 403 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:33,640 said purify yourselves yea all you that bear 404 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:38,060 the Lord's vessels and Saint Paul alleging this 405 00:22:38,060 --> 00:22:43,920 place says having therefore such promises that is 406 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:48,340 that God accounts us for his servants and 407 00:22:48,340 --> 00:22:53,100 children let us take heed that we cleanse 408 00:22:53,100 --> 00:22:56,260 ourselves from all filthiness as well of the 409 00:22:56,260 --> 00:23:03,890 body as the soul but behold Esau who 410 00:23:03,890 --> 00:23:06,590 has no care but for his belly and 411 00:23:06,590 --> 00:23:10,550 that he shows very well when he says 412 00:23:11,390 --> 00:23:13,990 behold I haste to death and what shall 413 00:23:13,990 --> 00:23:18,490 this birthright avail me yes but it was 414 00:23:18,490 --> 00:23:22,410 for everlasting life it was for a heavenly 415 00:23:22,410 --> 00:23:27,410 inheritance he has no regard to all this 416 00:23:28,910 --> 00:23:31,930 so then we see that he did eat 417 00:23:31,930 --> 00:23:34,610 as a dog or rather as a hog 418 00:23:34,610 --> 00:23:36,870 that had his nose always in the swill 419 00:23:36,870 --> 00:23:40,610 trough and sought for nothing but meat behold 420 00:23:40,610 --> 00:23:43,630 them the disposition of Esau which is declared 421 00:23:43,630 --> 00:23:46,790 to us in these words and so the 422 00:23:46,790 --> 00:23:49,690 exhortation of the apostle ought well to be 423 00:23:49,690 --> 00:23:52,390 practiced of us when he says in Hebrews 424 00:23:52,390 --> 00:23:56,170 12 verse 16 let us not be profane 425 00:23:56,170 --> 00:24:00,890 men as Esau was for see what is 426 00:24:00,890 --> 00:24:03,490 the cause that makes us to forego the 427 00:24:03,490 --> 00:24:06,710 hope of that salvation that God has given 428 00:24:06,710 --> 00:24:09,390 us when we are snared in our own 429 00:24:09,390 --> 00:24:13,250 sense and in our carnal desires it is 430 00:24:13,250 --> 00:24:15,270 certain that we are quite out of taste 431 00:24:15,270 --> 00:24:18,270 with that which appertains to the salvation of 432 00:24:18,270 --> 00:24:20,950 our souls that has no favor with us 433 00:24:21,470 --> 00:24:23,770 so that there is neither word of God 434 00:24:23,770 --> 00:24:26,970 nor promise nor anything which we do not 435 00:24:26,970 --> 00:24:33,130 lightly esteem when we are so profane now 436 00:24:33,130 --> 00:24:35,550 then let us take good heed when we 437 00:24:35,550 --> 00:24:38,850 are provoked with some desire to think hey 438 00:24:38,850 --> 00:24:40,730 God has not placed us in this world 439 00:24:40,730 --> 00:24:44,050 to perish as asses and horses he has 440 00:24:44,050 --> 00:24:46,330 given us a soul wherein he has engraven 441 00:24:46,330 --> 00:24:50,010 his own image so then it is necessary 442 00:24:50,010 --> 00:24:54,210 for us always to labor and to aspire 443 00:24:54,210 --> 00:24:59,550 to this heavenly immortality and especially to enforce 444 00:24:59,550 --> 00:25:04,710 ourselves to fight against all our affections and 445 00:25:04,710 --> 00:25:07,770 not to be so held here below that 446 00:25:07,770 --> 00:25:10,190 we strive not always to break and undo 447 00:25:10,190 --> 00:25:12,850 these cords that hinder us that we cannot 448 00:25:12,850 --> 00:25:16,790 come directly unto God mark then what we 449 00:25:16,790 --> 00:25:20,230 have here to learn that we be not 450 00:25:20,230 --> 00:25:24,310 like Esau saying I haste to death and 451 00:25:24,310 --> 00:25:27,130 where to shall my birthright serve me what 452 00:25:27,130 --> 00:25:30,130 shall we do such dishonor to the dignity 453 00:25:30,130 --> 00:25:33,170 and nobility which God has placed in us 454 00:25:33,170 --> 00:25:34,750 for as much as he has given us 455 00:25:34,750 --> 00:25:37,970 immortal souls that we say we are not 456 00:25:37,970 --> 00:25:40,350 of this world our place is above and 457 00:25:40,350 --> 00:25:42,990 our right is above and in the meanwhile 458 00:25:43,570 --> 00:25:48,310 shall we rest and be entangled here so 459 00:25:48,310 --> 00:25:51,190 then though we should perish a hundred times 460 00:25:51,190 --> 00:25:54,910 yet let us know that God has reserved 461 00:25:54,910 --> 00:25:57,710 a better life for us and that there 462 00:25:57,710 --> 00:26:00,330 is our sovereign good that we ought to 463 00:26:00,330 --> 00:26:04,470 esteem and though we lack and have need 464 00:26:04,470 --> 00:26:08,310 of temporary benefits which only serve to maintain 465 00:26:08,310 --> 00:26:11,270 us here beneath yet let us bear it 466 00:26:11,270 --> 00:26:16,970 patiently and let us always mark if I 467 00:26:16,970 --> 00:26:22,470 die not to say I perish or I 468 00:26:22,470 --> 00:26:26,190 am utterly lost and cast away for this 469 00:26:26,190 --> 00:26:28,910 is but a passage by death to go 470 00:26:28,910 --> 00:26:32,250 from one life to another we must therefore 471 00:26:32,250 --> 00:26:36,790 look up to that place and this is 472 00:26:36,790 --> 00:26:38,710 the sum of what we have to mark 473 00:26:38,710 --> 00:26:44,120 here but howsoever it be we see here 474 00:26:44,120 --> 00:26:47,640 how God has laid open the beastliness of 475 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:49,940 Esau and has shown that he was already 476 00:26:49,940 --> 00:26:53,000 forsaken of him and was not governed by 477 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,000 his Holy Spirit as the wisest of the 478 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:59,400 world albeit it seemed they pierced through the 479 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,200 clouds yet are they so dull and block 480 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:04,940 headed that they regard nothing but that which 481 00:27:04,940 --> 00:27:09,460 is present unto them and to that they 482 00:27:09,460 --> 00:27:13,360 wholly give themselves we shall see therefore are 483 00:27:13,360 --> 00:27:17,380 they wittiest and those whom men so greatly 484 00:27:17,380 --> 00:27:19,900 magnify which look to nothing but to build 485 00:27:19,900 --> 00:27:22,860 their houses now I say not only to 486 00:27:22,860 --> 00:27:26,700 build goodly palaces but also to get great 487 00:27:26,700 --> 00:27:30,760 revenues for their children to advance themselves and 488 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:33,460 to become great states to live up to 489 00:27:33,460 --> 00:27:37,080 be feared and honored and that all the 490 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,740 world may be constrained as it were to 491 00:27:39,740 --> 00:27:43,820 pass through their hands and in the meantime 492 00:27:43,820 --> 00:27:47,180 as for God they do not much remember 493 00:27:47,180 --> 00:27:49,640 him and they are in such a way 494 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:52,100 unthankful that it were much better to be 495 00:27:52,100 --> 00:27:53,880 a hog or an ass than to be 496 00:27:53,880 --> 00:27:57,420 like unto them and why so a hog 497 00:27:57,420 --> 00:28:00,580 has but his natural appetites when his belly 498 00:28:00,580 --> 00:28:02,560 is full he will sleep or he will 499 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,600 wallow in dung and he is well contented 500 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:09,520 with it but men what desires have they 501 00:28:10,220 --> 00:28:13,060 it is certain that there can be found 502 00:28:13,060 --> 00:28:16,580 no greater grief to torment them with more 503 00:28:16,580 --> 00:28:20,440 cruelly than their own appetites so then for 504 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:24,080 this cause they are in continual aggravation and 505 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:27,380 torment in as much as they respect nothing 506 00:28:27,380 --> 00:28:30,540 but this life and if they once die 507 00:28:30,540 --> 00:28:33,800 why with them it seems all is dead 508 00:28:34,900 --> 00:28:38,200 likewise we see in all the reprobate that 509 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:39,940 they have not any taste of the heavenly 510 00:28:39,940 --> 00:28:44,280 life and therefore we must so much the 511 00:28:44,280 --> 00:28:47,260 more pray unto God that he will open 512 00:28:47,260 --> 00:28:49,760 our eyes to the end we may always 513 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:53,440 see beyond these present things and that we 514 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:55,920 may keep ourselves therein in such a way 515 00:28:55,920 --> 00:29:03,360 that we be not held here beneath but 516 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:07,620 Jacob contents not himself that Esau has simply 517 00:29:07,620 --> 00:29:09,880 sold him his birthright but he will have 518 00:29:09,880 --> 00:29:14,620 another Esau swears this is all one to 519 00:29:14,620 --> 00:29:17,600 him and in this we see how God 520 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:21,240 threw him under his feet for although that 521 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:23,680 hunger oppressed him so hardly that he was 522 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:26,960 constrained to renounce his birthright yet when he 523 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:30,200 came to swear and that the name of 524 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:34,460 God was taken to witness and protested that 525 00:29:34,460 --> 00:29:37,400 God should be his judge and punish him 526 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:40,160 if he were sworn and disobedient and kept 527 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:42,860 not his promise when all this was done 528 00:29:42,860 --> 00:29:46,980 and he not ignorant what his birthright was 529 00:29:46,980 --> 00:29:51,060 worth it must be said that the devil 530 00:29:51,060 --> 00:29:57,880 had altogether blinded him but hereby we are 531 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:01,600 admonished that when we when we have once 532 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:03,660 begun to start away and to turn our 533 00:30:03,660 --> 00:30:06,520 backs to God it must needs be that 534 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:08,940 so much the more we be second hardened 535 00:30:08,940 --> 00:30:11,880 to have no more understanding of God than 536 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:15,400 brute beasts and when we have after a 537 00:30:15,400 --> 00:30:19,500 way renounced the inheritance of salvation it shall 538 00:30:19,500 --> 00:30:21,780 come to pass that we shall renounce it 539 00:30:21,780 --> 00:30:25,500 a hundred and a thousand times yes the 540 00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:27,140 devil will find a hundred ways in one 541 00:30:27,140 --> 00:30:29,440 day to plunge us in the gulf of 542 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:32,220 perdition out of which we shall never be 543 00:30:32,220 --> 00:30:35,960 able to help ourselves mark then what we 544 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:39,680 have yet to observe upon this place but 545 00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:42,520 by the way we have to consider Jacob's 546 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:49,480 abstinence behold an example of true fast and 547 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,700 not as the papists imagine, it is true 548 00:30:52,700 --> 00:30:54,840 that fasts are commanded unto us in the 549 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:59,100 holy scripture for various reasons for they serve 550 00:30:59,100 --> 00:31:03,220 to tame our carnal affections and we must 551 00:31:03,220 --> 00:31:05,240 so cut off our drinking and our eating 552 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:08,380 that the temperance which God requires of us 553 00:31:08,380 --> 00:31:12,200 may be as a continual fast for the 554 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:15,440 whole time of our life but yet it 555 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:19,500 is often times required that we should lessen 556 00:31:19,500 --> 00:31:22,800 our portion and why so? 557 00:31:23,360 --> 00:31:25,280 to the end we may be the better 558 00:31:25,280 --> 00:31:29,720 disposed to prayer and again when we are 559 00:31:29,720 --> 00:31:32,760 afflicted there is no question then of banqueting 560 00:31:32,760 --> 00:31:36,820 and making great cheer if God threaten us 561 00:31:36,820 --> 00:31:39,260 that he will show us some sign of 562 00:31:39,260 --> 00:31:41,280 his wrath as he says by his prophet 563 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:45,100 I then call you to mourning and weeping 564 00:31:46,660 --> 00:31:49,100 and if we loose the range to our 565 00:31:49,100 --> 00:31:52,340 desires it is as if we should bid 566 00:31:52,340 --> 00:31:56,080 him battle treat him with contempt and provoke 567 00:31:56,080 --> 00:32:00,220 him to anger mark then how fasting serves 568 00:32:00,220 --> 00:32:03,000 to humble us before God and to make 569 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:06,880 us as wretched malefactors acknowledging that we have 570 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:11,190 offended him moreover the fast word I have 571 00:32:11,190 --> 00:32:14,090 mentioned is made here is that which causes 572 00:32:14,090 --> 00:32:16,590 a man to abstain yes from eating and 573 00:32:16,590 --> 00:32:20,550 drinking if the same hinder him from serving 574 00:32:20,550 --> 00:32:24,050 God and which makes him rather to forsake 575 00:32:24,050 --> 00:32:27,470 his own life than to be turned away 576 00:32:27,470 --> 00:32:31,050 from God's will for as we have already 577 00:32:31,050 --> 00:32:34,450 said Jacob suffered as much as his brother 578 00:32:34,450 --> 00:32:38,010 Esau it is very true that he had 579 00:32:38,010 --> 00:32:40,230 not traversed and run so far that day 580 00:32:40,230 --> 00:32:43,130 in the fields and woods he had tarried 581 00:32:43,130 --> 00:32:46,610 in the house after his accustomed manner but 582 00:32:46,610 --> 00:32:48,490 conceding the fact that he had made ready 583 00:32:48,490 --> 00:32:51,930 his dinner he was hungry and had an 584 00:32:51,930 --> 00:32:56,230 appetite to eat but howsoever it was he 585 00:32:56,230 --> 00:32:59,690 liked better to abstain and to captivate himself 586 00:32:59,690 --> 00:33:02,210 and to renounce his dinner and as it 587 00:33:02,210 --> 00:33:04,510 were his own life than to lose this 588 00:33:04,510 --> 00:33:10,490 occasion which he had that his birthright might 589 00:33:10,490 --> 00:33:14,930 be confirmed unto him so then we have 590 00:33:14,930 --> 00:33:17,510 here to make a comparison between Jacob and 591 00:33:17,510 --> 00:33:20,570 Esau and to make our profit of the 592 00:33:20,570 --> 00:33:23,870 exhortation which we have alleged that is to 593 00:33:23,870 --> 00:33:28,210 say that we be not profane but to 594 00:33:28,210 --> 00:33:31,270 the contrary it is said of Esau that 595 00:33:31,270 --> 00:33:33,850 he did eat and drink and rose up 596 00:33:34,310 --> 00:33:38,350 and went his way the speech here at 597 00:33:38,350 --> 00:33:40,670 the first sight is simple but it carries 598 00:33:40,670 --> 00:33:43,190 much with it for it was not enough 599 00:33:43,190 --> 00:33:45,590 that he had said that Esau without any 600 00:33:45,590 --> 00:33:47,930 further thinking of the matter had emptied his 601 00:33:47,930 --> 00:33:52,330 dish and was gone but Moses says that 602 00:33:52,330 --> 00:33:54,850 he did eat and drink that he took 603 00:33:54,850 --> 00:33:58,290 his nourishment wholly at his ease and that 604 00:33:58,290 --> 00:34:00,870 he was well filled as though his birthright 605 00:34:00,870 --> 00:34:04,390 had been nothing unto him and this is 606 00:34:04,390 --> 00:34:08,090 the conclusion which he sets down that he 607 00:34:08,090 --> 00:34:12,810 condemned his birthright but before we come to 608 00:34:12,810 --> 00:34:15,130 this it is said that he did eat 609 00:34:15,130 --> 00:34:18,489 that he drank and rose up and went 610 00:34:18,489 --> 00:34:22,650 his way whether it is showed that Esau 611 00:34:22,650 --> 00:34:25,730 was embarrassed at nothing but he was a 612 00:34:25,730 --> 00:34:28,610 dog that did nothing but shake his ear 613 00:34:28,610 --> 00:34:31,310 after he had eaten and drunk that he 614 00:34:31,310 --> 00:34:33,889 went his way and pleaded not the matter 615 00:34:33,889 --> 00:34:37,370 against his brother as they which repent themselves 616 00:34:37,370 --> 00:34:40,270 are better advised when they have done any 617 00:34:40,270 --> 00:34:44,270 unadvised act they consider alas what have I 618 00:34:44,270 --> 00:34:47,070 done what shall become of me how far 619 00:34:47,070 --> 00:34:51,210 have I overshot myself Esau thinks nothing of 620 00:34:51,210 --> 00:34:53,969 all this but he leaves his brother after 621 00:34:53,969 --> 00:34:56,950 he was full he rose up and had 622 00:34:56,950 --> 00:35:00,670 no care of anything now therefore we have 623 00:35:00,670 --> 00:35:03,690 here to behold how the devil when he 624 00:35:03,690 --> 00:35:06,230 has taken possession of a man makes him 625 00:35:06,230 --> 00:35:09,510 so senseless and block headed that he has 626 00:35:09,510 --> 00:35:13,070 no feeling of sorrow in himself no remorse 627 00:35:13,070 --> 00:35:17,470 nor scruple although he see that he be 628 00:35:17,470 --> 00:35:19,290 as it were cut off and banished from 629 00:35:19,290 --> 00:35:21,450 the kingdom of God yet he is not 630 00:35:21,450 --> 00:35:26,070 one bit moved with it but this is 631 00:35:26,070 --> 00:35:28,570 which I have touched before for a time 632 00:35:28,970 --> 00:35:33,190 is yet better expressed that is that always 633 00:35:33,190 --> 00:35:37,370 we fall from one evil to another and 634 00:35:37,370 --> 00:35:39,270 when the devil has gotten us into his 635 00:35:39,270 --> 00:35:43,650 snares he so entangles us in them that 636 00:35:43,650 --> 00:35:45,150 we can never bring it to an end 637 00:35:46,820 --> 00:35:49,950 but we must gather this general doctrine of 638 00:35:49,950 --> 00:35:54,250 this history that is that we always think 639 00:35:54,900 --> 00:35:56,730 upon that which is said by our Lord 640 00:35:56,730 --> 00:36:00,210 Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 641 00:36:01,290 --> 00:36:04,490 that first of all we seek for the 642 00:36:04,490 --> 00:36:07,750 kingdom of God and that the rest shall 643 00:36:07,750 --> 00:36:11,750 be cast unto us now when he speaks 644 00:36:11,750 --> 00:36:13,950 of the kingdom of God this is not 645 00:36:13,950 --> 00:36:16,670 only to be understood of life everlasting but 646 00:36:16,670 --> 00:36:19,690 this also is comprised in it for the 647 00:36:19,690 --> 00:36:22,850 kingdom of God is that God be glorified 648 00:36:22,850 --> 00:36:25,870 in us that he be served and worshipped 649 00:36:25,870 --> 00:36:29,830 that we be his people as also he 650 00:36:29,830 --> 00:36:33,390 has mutually sanctified us as he has spoken 651 00:36:33,390 --> 00:36:37,250 thereof by his prophet Isaiah sanctify the Lord 652 00:36:37,250 --> 00:36:39,970 of hosts and he will sanctify you and 653 00:36:39,970 --> 00:36:44,250 will be your strength when we shall therefore 654 00:36:44,250 --> 00:36:47,610 seek that God may be honored and that 655 00:36:47,610 --> 00:36:51,070 we labor to dedicate ourselves to him and 656 00:36:51,070 --> 00:36:55,170 to be as it were living sacrifices then 657 00:36:55,170 --> 00:36:57,730 shall all other things be given unto us 658 00:36:57,730 --> 00:37:00,650 that is to say as Saint Paul also 659 00:37:00,650 --> 00:37:04,930 has declared God will show himself a father 660 00:37:04,930 --> 00:37:07,950 as well of our bodies as of our 661 00:37:07,950 --> 00:37:10,910 souls for he says unto Timothy in 1st 662 00:37:10,910 --> 00:37:13,790 Timothy chapter 4 verse 8 that if we 663 00:37:13,790 --> 00:37:16,390 walk in the fear of God thinking more 664 00:37:16,390 --> 00:37:20,810 upon heaven than upon the earth we have 665 00:37:20,810 --> 00:37:24,350 the promises how so ever it be of 666 00:37:24,350 --> 00:37:27,430 this present life as well of the life 667 00:37:27,430 --> 00:37:30,990 to come it is very true that the 668 00:37:30,990 --> 00:37:35,250 promises belonging unto this present life are accessories 669 00:37:35,250 --> 00:37:40,410 that is no other than that which follows 670 00:37:40,410 --> 00:37:43,750 and depends there upon but it is so 671 00:37:43,750 --> 00:37:46,350 much that if we lean upon the bounty 672 00:37:46,350 --> 00:37:49,030 of God and strive there where he has 673 00:37:49,030 --> 00:37:52,450 called us that is to say to the 674 00:37:52,450 --> 00:37:55,110 salvation which he has so dearly purchased for 675 00:37:55,110 --> 00:37:59,910 us by our Lord Jesus Christ God will 676 00:37:59,910 --> 00:38:02,350 not only become the father of our souls 677 00:38:02,350 --> 00:38:06,490 but also of our bodies we are thoroughly 678 00:38:06,490 --> 00:38:09,370 assured of this and ought to be resolved 679 00:38:09,370 --> 00:38:13,010 in it but now how so ever it 680 00:38:13,010 --> 00:38:15,950 be if we must be ready to renounce 681 00:38:15,950 --> 00:38:19,230 this present life and all the conveniences which 682 00:38:19,230 --> 00:38:22,390 are here if we must renounce our own 683 00:38:22,390 --> 00:38:28,130 life by a stronger reason we must renounce 684 00:38:28,130 --> 00:38:32,010 to live now we cannot live here without 685 00:38:32,010 --> 00:38:35,390 eating and drinking but yet it is necessary 686 00:38:35,390 --> 00:38:38,890 that we be ready to suffer hunger and 687 00:38:38,890 --> 00:38:40,910 thirst rather than be turned away from our 688 00:38:40,910 --> 00:38:44,050 calling and not only this but when the 689 00:38:44,050 --> 00:38:47,430 question shall be of death we must offer 690 00:38:47,430 --> 00:38:50,670 our lives to God doing him this homage 691 00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:54,290 and always desiring rather a precious and blessed 692 00:38:54,290 --> 00:38:58,250 death before him than all the lives that 693 00:38:58,250 --> 00:39:01,310 might be imagined in this world which he 694 00:39:01,310 --> 00:39:04,990 shall accurse behold then the rule that is 695 00:39:04,990 --> 00:39:07,790 given to all Christians and whereby they are 696 00:39:07,790 --> 00:39:09,970 tried if they be the true children of 697 00:39:09,970 --> 00:39:13,250 God and that is when the world hinders 698 00:39:13,250 --> 00:39:15,810 them not to serve God that they always 699 00:39:15,810 --> 00:39:18,630 march on forwards by that path which is 700 00:39:18,630 --> 00:39:22,890 showed them by the Holy Scripture when I 701 00:39:22,890 --> 00:39:26,050 say that the world hinders them not I 702 00:39:26,050 --> 00:39:30,410 understand not only those wicked lusts as drunkenness, 703 00:39:30,850 --> 00:39:35,010 whoredom, covetousness and such like but also those 704 00:39:35,010 --> 00:39:38,970 desires that are not utterly condemned as eating 705 00:39:38,970 --> 00:39:41,230 and drinking when it shall be permitted us 706 00:39:41,230 --> 00:39:44,190 of God and if eating and drinking shall 707 00:39:44,190 --> 00:39:47,410 hinder us from serving God then we must 708 00:39:47,410 --> 00:39:51,790 so strive that our desires may be tamed 709 00:39:52,390 --> 00:39:55,250 now this will be better understood by the 710 00:39:55,250 --> 00:39:59,490 common experience we have there is a man 711 00:39:59,490 --> 00:40:02,590 which may live in delights and pleasures he 712 00:40:02,590 --> 00:40:04,870 has to eat to the full yes of 713 00:40:04,870 --> 00:40:07,770 all manner of dainties and delicates and exquisite 714 00:40:07,770 --> 00:40:11,390 meats but he must hang his conscience as 715 00:40:11,390 --> 00:40:14,190 they say upon the rack or rather be 716 00:40:14,190 --> 00:40:17,510 profaned with the wicked world for there are 717 00:40:17,510 --> 00:40:20,510 a great many conditions offered to many which 718 00:40:20,510 --> 00:40:24,690 are as the enticing baits of Satan there 719 00:40:24,690 --> 00:40:27,450 upon they will think oh if I were 720 00:40:27,450 --> 00:40:30,510 in such a place I might rather a 721 00:40:30,510 --> 00:40:32,890 great deal of, I might gather a great 722 00:40:32,890 --> 00:40:35,450 deal of good and afterwards I should be 723 00:40:35,450 --> 00:40:38,010 in great honor all the world would crouch 724 00:40:38,010 --> 00:40:40,990 unto me in the mean season I should 725 00:40:40,990 --> 00:40:43,690 have my table well furnished I should have 726 00:40:43,690 --> 00:40:46,150 with which to nourish me to my desire 727 00:40:46,150 --> 00:40:48,950 yes and in my old age when I 728 00:40:48,950 --> 00:40:51,470 should have gathered together my livelihood and rents 729 00:40:51,470 --> 00:40:54,010 I should be assured to live at my 730 00:40:54,010 --> 00:40:59,090 ease but I cannot attain unto it but 731 00:40:59,090 --> 00:41:03,970 to where tends this even hitherto that I 732 00:41:03,970 --> 00:41:07,490 cannot do this without being in great danger 733 00:41:07,490 --> 00:41:11,710 to bring myself to great wickedness yes and 734 00:41:11,710 --> 00:41:17,390 without utter estranging myself from God howsoever it 735 00:41:17,390 --> 00:41:20,410 be I cannot serve God purely as He 736 00:41:20,410 --> 00:41:23,170 has commanded me but if any man be 737 00:41:23,170 --> 00:41:26,010 tempted with this it is certain that he 738 00:41:26,010 --> 00:41:29,150 is like unto Esau if he make choice 739 00:41:29,150 --> 00:41:32,750 of this condition which shall be more agreeable 740 00:41:32,750 --> 00:41:35,050 to the world and in the mean time 741 00:41:35,050 --> 00:41:38,370 shall forsake the means he has to serve 742 00:41:38,370 --> 00:41:40,550 God and to live in the peace and 743 00:41:40,550 --> 00:41:44,150 tranquility of a good conscience for he considers 744 00:41:44,150 --> 00:41:47,250 not I am a weak man and have 745 00:41:47,250 --> 00:41:49,190 much to do to hold myself in the 746 00:41:49,190 --> 00:41:51,530 fear of God although I be every day 747 00:41:51,530 --> 00:41:54,630 exhorted unto it yes and though I do 748 00:41:54,630 --> 00:41:57,450 give myself wholly unto it and enforce myself 749 00:41:57,450 --> 00:42:00,710 thereunto and what shall become of me when 750 00:42:00,710 --> 00:42:03,390 I shall have no word of God that 751 00:42:03,390 --> 00:42:05,170 I shall not be exhorted to do my 752 00:42:05,170 --> 00:42:08,950 duty and that I shall be entangled with 753 00:42:08,950 --> 00:42:13,070 many business and affairs of the world if 754 00:42:13,070 --> 00:42:17,010 a man think not of all this and 755 00:42:17,010 --> 00:42:20,110 that be make choice of a good table 756 00:42:21,030 --> 00:42:23,230 that is to say if he rather choose 757 00:42:23,230 --> 00:42:26,910 an estate whereby he may enrich himself it 758 00:42:26,910 --> 00:42:30,390 is certain that he shall be resembled unto 759 00:42:30,390 --> 00:42:34,850 Esau to the contrary when we shall think 760 00:42:35,550 --> 00:42:37,410 hey it is true that we shall be 761 00:42:37,410 --> 00:42:39,130 at our ease if we will forsake God 762 00:42:39,130 --> 00:42:41,870 or rather depart from him and will decline 763 00:42:41,870 --> 00:42:43,870 be it never so little from a good 764 00:42:43,870 --> 00:42:48,710 way but what the devil will by and 765 00:42:48,710 --> 00:42:51,210 by find new slice to bring us wholly 766 00:42:51,210 --> 00:42:53,770 to wickedness in such a manner that we 767 00:42:53,770 --> 00:42:58,310 shall be as a desperate people but let 768 00:42:58,310 --> 00:43:01,450 us prevent such a danger and rather let 769 00:43:01,450 --> 00:43:04,770 us love hunger and thirst yes and to 770 00:43:04,770 --> 00:43:07,510 feed properly and not to have any great 771 00:43:07,510 --> 00:43:11,930 pop and great superfluity let us choose rather 772 00:43:11,930 --> 00:43:14,350 I say not to have so great an 773 00:43:14,350 --> 00:43:18,230 estate and hold ourselves in sobriety than to 774 00:43:18,230 --> 00:43:22,610 be rich and wealthy notwithstanding to forget ourselves 775 00:43:22,610 --> 00:43:25,250 and to have all our joy here beneath 776 00:43:26,690 --> 00:43:30,170 when we shall so behave ourselves in this 777 00:43:30,950 --> 00:43:34,730 lo how we follow the example of our 778 00:43:34,730 --> 00:43:38,770 father Jacob but as I have said already 779 00:43:39,620 --> 00:43:44,450 the question is not only of forsaking our 780 00:43:44,450 --> 00:43:49,410 ease and convenience but also when need shall 781 00:43:49,410 --> 00:43:54,840 be of our own life for if so 782 00:43:54,840 --> 00:43:57,820 be we must die to make confession of 783 00:43:57,820 --> 00:44:00,380 our faith such as God requires of us 784 00:44:00,380 --> 00:44:02,700 and to glorify the name of our Lord 785 00:44:02,700 --> 00:44:06,560 Jesus Christ and must pass that way we 786 00:44:06,560 --> 00:44:09,820 must likewise also forsake our own life and 787 00:44:09,820 --> 00:44:12,860 that which belongs unto it and if we 788 00:44:12,860 --> 00:44:15,640 do it not we show that we know 789 00:44:15,640 --> 00:44:18,340 not what it is to have tasted of 790 00:44:18,340 --> 00:44:24,010 spiritual blessings but that we have lost all 791 00:44:24,010 --> 00:44:26,190 taste of them for as much as the 792 00:44:26,190 --> 00:44:28,410 devil has made us drunken with his poisons 793 00:44:29,180 --> 00:44:33,170 and has bewitched us and made us senseless 794 00:44:33,170 --> 00:44:37,470 and block-headed we see here by the 795 00:44:37,470 --> 00:44:41,890 way how profitable this history is unto us 796 00:44:41,890 --> 00:44:45,550 for besides that which we have said already 797 00:44:45,550 --> 00:44:48,510 that God has ratified his election and has 798 00:44:48,510 --> 00:44:51,110 discovered that which was in Esau and Jacob 799 00:44:52,410 --> 00:44:56,730 here our father Jacob reaches out his hand 800 00:44:56,730 --> 00:45:00,870 unto us and shows us that all the 801 00:45:00,870 --> 00:45:04,010 pleasures of this world ought to be nothing 802 00:45:04,010 --> 00:45:07,830 unto us no not our very nourishment when 803 00:45:07,830 --> 00:45:11,330 there shall be any question to be as 804 00:45:11,330 --> 00:45:15,410 poor starved people that we rather forsake to 805 00:45:15,410 --> 00:45:18,130 eat and drink when all shall be made 806 00:45:18,130 --> 00:45:21,890 ready yes especially when the smell shall have 807 00:45:21,890 --> 00:45:25,010 provoked us that we imagine to have the 808 00:45:25,010 --> 00:45:28,590 morsels already in our mouths and to have 809 00:45:28,590 --> 00:45:31,510 swallowed them down when we shall come so 810 00:45:31,510 --> 00:45:37,290 far nevertheless that we enter into such a 811 00:45:37,290 --> 00:45:41,770 combat with us against ourselves that we renounce 812 00:45:41,770 --> 00:45:45,850 our natural inclination and especially that which is 813 00:45:45,850 --> 00:45:49,130 not utterly condemned among men if it prevents 814 00:45:49,130 --> 00:45:52,150 us from coming unto God if it hinder 815 00:45:52,150 --> 00:45:55,630 us or entangle us here beneath in any 816 00:45:55,630 --> 00:46:01,110 corruptions behold what we ought to do and 817 00:46:01,110 --> 00:46:03,450 moreover that we take good heed on the 818 00:46:03,450 --> 00:46:06,950 other side that we be not like unto 819 00:46:06,950 --> 00:46:10,730 Esau and that we allege not this and 820 00:46:10,730 --> 00:46:14,190 that as many say oh we must live 821 00:46:14,190 --> 00:46:17,130 we may well make our excuses before men 822 00:46:17,130 --> 00:46:20,730 but when we shall come to render a 823 00:46:20,730 --> 00:46:24,470 reckoning before that great judge who has declared 824 00:46:24,470 --> 00:46:27,510 unto us that he will have us to 825 00:46:27,510 --> 00:46:30,710 set such price upon the treasure of our 826 00:46:30,710 --> 00:46:32,770 salvation that he has offered us in the 827 00:46:32,770 --> 00:46:36,330 gospel that we learn to withdraw ourselves from 828 00:46:36,330 --> 00:46:39,070 the world and that all that is in 829 00:46:39,070 --> 00:46:44,680 it be nothing in comparison of it but 830 00:46:44,680 --> 00:46:48,140 this thing is practiced after various ways and 831 00:46:48,140 --> 00:46:51,400 manners for when a Christian man shall have 832 00:46:51,400 --> 00:46:54,320 plenty if he be sober in eating and 833 00:46:54,320 --> 00:46:57,940 drinking and do not so gorge himself that 834 00:46:57,940 --> 00:47:00,840 he loose both his sense and memory but 835 00:47:00,840 --> 00:47:05,100 be always disposed to praise God to execute 836 00:47:05,100 --> 00:47:07,700 the charge where unto he is called and 837 00:47:07,700 --> 00:47:10,520 to employ himself to that which belongs to 838 00:47:10,520 --> 00:47:13,620 his estate and vocation if a man be 839 00:47:13,620 --> 00:47:17,600 so temperate he is like unto Jacob for 840 00:47:17,600 --> 00:47:21,140 he forsakes to eat and drink not because 841 00:47:21,140 --> 00:47:23,140 he does not use the benefits that God 842 00:47:23,140 --> 00:47:26,180 has put into his hand but he forsakes 843 00:47:26,180 --> 00:47:29,660 them in bridling his desires to the end 844 00:47:29,660 --> 00:47:35,020 not to exceed measure and after he always 845 00:47:35,020 --> 00:47:37,760 lifts up himself on high regarding the service 846 00:47:37,760 --> 00:47:41,380 of God and preferring it before any worldly 847 00:47:41,380 --> 00:47:46,020 thing again if it be necessary that he 848 00:47:46,020 --> 00:47:49,540 which was rich should be poor and that 849 00:47:49,540 --> 00:47:51,700 God had rather be poor yes if it 850 00:47:51,700 --> 00:47:53,880 were but to eat roots if need should 851 00:47:53,880 --> 00:47:56,800 be rather than to be alienated from God 852 00:47:57,500 --> 00:47:59,860 and that always he remains steadfast in it 853 00:47:59,860 --> 00:48:02,720 saying for as much as I am an 854 00:48:02,720 --> 00:48:05,480 heir of the world I ought to be 855 00:48:05,480 --> 00:48:08,600 well contented and now if I endure hunger 856 00:48:08,600 --> 00:48:11,660 or thirst if I bear any necessities and 857 00:48:11,660 --> 00:48:13,800 miseries I will pray unto God that he 858 00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:18,030 will give me patience and this is the 859 00:48:18,030 --> 00:48:21,510 reason why St. Paul also says in Philippians 860 00:48:21,510 --> 00:48:26,130 chapter 4 verse 12 that he had learned 861 00:48:28,500 --> 00:48:32,260 he left that he had learned in the 862 00:48:32,260 --> 00:48:34,860 school of our Lord Jesus Christ to be 863 00:48:34,860 --> 00:48:38,400 hungry and to be full that is to 864 00:48:38,400 --> 00:48:40,600 say when he had had enough he left 865 00:48:40,600 --> 00:48:44,540 not to hold himself in and when he 866 00:48:44,540 --> 00:48:47,880 had nothing he was patient in his necessity 867 00:48:49,100 --> 00:48:52,700 he had recourse to God and chose rather 868 00:48:52,700 --> 00:48:54,560 to have many wants in respect of the 869 00:48:54,560 --> 00:48:57,600 world than to have that with which to 870 00:48:57,600 --> 00:49:00,300 grow and enrich himself and yet to be 871 00:49:00,300 --> 00:49:04,460 empty of heavenly benefits for it is certain 872 00:49:04,460 --> 00:49:07,860 that Esau had his soul buried in the 873 00:49:07,860 --> 00:49:10,640 pottage he saw there he smelt them and 874 00:49:10,640 --> 00:49:14,200 to that he laid his snout and why 875 00:49:14,200 --> 00:49:18,380 because he had no other consideration than of 876 00:49:18,380 --> 00:49:22,580 this present life lo his soul which was 877 00:49:22,580 --> 00:49:26,700 buried therein now we may be compassed round 878 00:49:26,700 --> 00:49:29,760 about with all the goods of this world 879 00:49:29,760 --> 00:49:33,780 but it is necessary that the smell do 880 00:49:33,780 --> 00:49:37,000 not so allure us that we esteem not 881 00:49:37,000 --> 00:49:41,080 spiritual things far above them and always to 882 00:49:41,080 --> 00:49:44,940 prefer them mark then briefly how we ought 883 00:49:44,940 --> 00:49:49,430 to apply this doctrine unto our use and 884 00:49:49,430 --> 00:49:52,750 moreover let us mark well that which is 885 00:49:52,750 --> 00:49:55,790 spoken here that the wickedness of Esau was 886 00:49:56,670 --> 00:50:00,010 because he made no account of his birthright 887 00:50:01,070 --> 00:50:03,730 and therefore this is a sign that we 888 00:50:03,730 --> 00:50:06,830 despise and scorn the graces of God and 889 00:50:06,830 --> 00:50:09,090 as a man would say cast them to 890 00:50:09,090 --> 00:50:12,150 the ground and tread them under our feet 891 00:50:12,890 --> 00:50:15,690 when we are so much addicted either to 892 00:50:15,690 --> 00:50:18,610 this life or to our desires and when 893 00:50:18,610 --> 00:50:21,710 we can endure and bear nothing but will 894 00:50:21,710 --> 00:50:24,370 have all which is pleasant unto us after 895 00:50:24,370 --> 00:50:28,290 the flesh when then we will in such 896 00:50:28,290 --> 00:50:31,510 a way hold our lusts it is certain 897 00:50:31,510 --> 00:50:34,310 that we make right account of that heavenly 898 00:50:34,310 --> 00:50:37,530 inheritance for how shall that be esteemed of 899 00:50:37,530 --> 00:50:40,190 us it shall be esteemed of us as 900 00:50:40,190 --> 00:50:44,330 I have already said when the world shall 901 00:50:44,330 --> 00:50:48,090 be unto us but an accessory and all 902 00:50:48,090 --> 00:50:50,770 that is in it shall go as at 903 00:50:50,770 --> 00:50:55,290 the tail end but the gospel and the 904 00:50:55,290 --> 00:50:58,770 promises which are therein contained whereby God testifies 905 00:50:58,770 --> 00:51:02,490 unto us how he has adopted us and 906 00:51:02,490 --> 00:51:07,210 likewise how he will have us to himself 907 00:51:08,310 --> 00:51:12,070 this must mount up above them and we 908 00:51:12,070 --> 00:51:17,310 must be ravished in them and now withstanding 909 00:51:17,310 --> 00:51:21,410 let us well advise ourselves for if once 910 00:51:21,410 --> 00:51:23,890 the devil gain this of us that we 911 00:51:23,890 --> 00:51:27,030 become beastly in our pleasures he will not 912 00:51:27,030 --> 00:51:29,790 put us in mind for not we shall 913 00:51:29,790 --> 00:51:33,230 seek after nothing but this passing short-lived 914 00:51:33,230 --> 00:51:36,230 life we shall do nothing but run up 915 00:51:36,230 --> 00:51:38,590 and down like poor beasts and have no 916 00:51:38,590 --> 00:51:41,470 mark where not to aim as it fell 917 00:51:41,470 --> 00:51:44,710 out with Esau I have said already that 918 00:51:44,710 --> 00:51:47,350 these words are not put in vain, he 919 00:51:47,350 --> 00:51:49,270 did eat, he drank he rose up and 920 00:51:49,270 --> 00:51:52,910 went his way and what a company of 921 00:51:52,910 --> 00:51:55,350 such and such like do we see at 922 00:51:55,350 --> 00:51:59,070 this day for they which have their delights 923 00:51:59,070 --> 00:52:01,910 after the manner of the world will esteem 924 00:52:01,910 --> 00:52:06,130 us for beggarly fools and blockheads and they 925 00:52:06,130 --> 00:52:10,850 deride our simplicity well well say they let 926 00:52:10,850 --> 00:52:13,490 them have their gospel and not withstanding die 927 00:52:13,490 --> 00:52:15,970 for hunger and they be such as have 928 00:52:15,970 --> 00:52:17,990 not a rag to hang on their tail 929 00:52:17,990 --> 00:52:20,530 end and have nothing to chomp between their 930 00:52:20,530 --> 00:52:23,150 teeth or rather let them droop and hang 931 00:52:23,150 --> 00:52:26,470 their wings and be so miserable as none 932 00:52:26,470 --> 00:52:28,730 can be more and let them rejoice in 933 00:52:28,730 --> 00:52:31,570 their gospel as much as they will but 934 00:52:31,570 --> 00:52:33,490 we in the meantime will have our swing 935 00:52:33,490 --> 00:52:36,090 in this world we will have our desires 936 00:52:36,090 --> 00:52:41,380 and our table well garnished and above all 937 00:52:41,380 --> 00:52:44,580 these scorners of God which are at this 938 00:52:44,580 --> 00:52:48,340 day advanced into states and dignities it is 939 00:52:48,340 --> 00:52:51,300 well how they flout us, it is well 940 00:52:51,300 --> 00:52:53,640 known how they flout us and bleed out 941 00:52:53,640 --> 00:52:55,820 their tongue if men speak unto them of 942 00:52:55,820 --> 00:52:58,260 the gospel and it seems to them that 943 00:52:58,260 --> 00:53:00,600 we are as mad men which cannot discern 944 00:53:00,600 --> 00:53:05,180 between good and evil and why so for 945 00:53:05,180 --> 00:53:08,800 they eat and drink they rise up and 946 00:53:08,800 --> 00:53:13,120 go their way yes the world does so 947 00:53:13,120 --> 00:53:15,920 hold them or rather Satan has in such 948 00:53:15,920 --> 00:53:18,960 a way possessed them that heaven is nothing 949 00:53:18,960 --> 00:53:22,980 unto them and they all together forget everlasting 950 00:53:22,980 --> 00:53:27,020 life we see this and yet it is 951 00:53:27,020 --> 00:53:29,560 to no purpose to pursue it for our 952 00:53:29,560 --> 00:53:32,580 Lord has set before our eyes that this 953 00:53:32,580 --> 00:53:35,900 is in horrible condemnation when we fall into 954 00:53:35,900 --> 00:53:41,220 such blockheadedness to prefer this life which is 955 00:53:41,220 --> 00:53:44,200 nothing but a shadow before that eternity to 956 00:53:44,200 --> 00:53:47,960 which God has called us so let us 957 00:53:47,960 --> 00:53:51,100 put the case that we should live a 958 00:53:51,100 --> 00:53:55,180 hundred years after our death and yet what 959 00:53:55,180 --> 00:53:59,340 is that if we make comparison as St. 960 00:53:59,400 --> 00:54:02,200 Paul says with this world it is but 961 00:54:02,200 --> 00:54:05,300 a minute and a figure which passeth away 962 00:54:05,300 --> 00:54:12,360 and in some but a moment now conversely 963 00:54:13,000 --> 00:54:16,120 of what weight ought our immortality to be 964 00:54:16,120 --> 00:54:18,640 with us which is offered unto us in 965 00:54:18,640 --> 00:54:21,020 our Lord Jesus Christ and of which he 966 00:54:21,020 --> 00:54:25,690 has so well certified us and yet concerning 967 00:54:25,690 --> 00:54:29,050 this life who is it that can promise 968 00:54:29,050 --> 00:54:33,530 us one day for they who are well 969 00:54:33,530 --> 00:54:37,010 fed they grow therein and there cannot be 970 00:54:37,010 --> 00:54:40,990 a minute to uphold them and especially in 971 00:54:40,990 --> 00:54:44,730 temperance chokes very many and we see that 972 00:54:44,730 --> 00:54:47,210 men the more they have by which to 973 00:54:47,210 --> 00:54:51,550 do well they kill themselves and yet in 974 00:54:51,550 --> 00:54:55,730 the mean season we cannot content ourselves that 975 00:54:55,730 --> 00:54:58,390 like poor beasts we must seek for thou 976 00:54:58,390 --> 00:55:01,230 which has no certainty and in the turning 977 00:55:01,230 --> 00:55:06,470 of a hand all is lost we seek 978 00:55:06,470 --> 00:55:09,350 nevertheless for this and unto this we are 979 00:55:09,350 --> 00:55:13,590 given yes wholly addicted insomuch that we discern 980 00:55:13,590 --> 00:55:17,370 not between thou which is permanent and thou 981 00:55:17,370 --> 00:55:23,450 which flits away for if we despise that 982 00:55:23,450 --> 00:55:27,170 which is everlasting where then do we go 983 00:55:28,510 --> 00:55:32,310 it is certain that the most wicked themselves 984 00:55:32,310 --> 00:55:36,050 will say that this is a madness but 985 00:55:36,050 --> 00:55:37,830 after they have said it they show that 986 00:55:37,830 --> 00:55:39,890 they are strayed and that they do not 987 00:55:39,890 --> 00:55:44,250 greatly pass for it and this is so 988 00:55:44,250 --> 00:55:47,590 common a vice and it is necessary that 989 00:55:47,590 --> 00:55:55,510 the most perfect especially fight against it and 990 00:55:55,510 --> 00:55:58,430 the apostle not without cause handling this matter 991 00:55:58,430 --> 00:56:04,250 says be not profane to the end to 992 00:56:04,250 --> 00:56:07,090 make us watchful and to make us think 993 00:56:07,090 --> 00:56:09,250 who we are and that we should not 994 00:56:09,250 --> 00:56:11,770 be so brutish as to rest upon this 995 00:56:11,770 --> 00:56:15,310 present life so then let us go further 996 00:56:16,010 --> 00:56:18,990 and that which is here given us let 997 00:56:18,990 --> 00:56:22,490 us apply for our help to make us 998 00:56:22,490 --> 00:56:26,110 run on the more swiftly but if there 999 00:56:26,110 --> 00:56:28,750 be anything that hinder us yes though it 1000 00:56:28,750 --> 00:56:30,790 were our very eye as our Lord Jesus 1001 00:56:30,790 --> 00:56:34,210 Christ says in Matthew chapter 5 verse 29 1002 00:56:34,210 --> 00:56:36,990 that our eye may rather be plucked out 1003 00:56:37,410 --> 00:56:40,050 and we rather desire to enter into the 1004 00:56:40,050 --> 00:56:42,550 kingdom of heaven blind than having all our 1005 00:56:42,550 --> 00:56:48,890 senses sound to go into everlasting destruction so 1006 00:56:48,890 --> 00:56:53,590 then to conclude let us rather love hunger 1007 00:56:53,590 --> 00:56:56,830 and thirst than to cram and stuff our 1008 00:56:56,830 --> 00:57:00,090 bellies and in the meantime not to regard 1009 00:57:00,090 --> 00:57:04,370 everlasting life for we must not be so 1010 00:57:05,530 --> 00:57:10,170 snared in these corruptible and temporary things that 1011 00:57:10,170 --> 00:57:12,270 we cannot always lift up our senses and 1012 00:57:12,270 --> 00:57:16,230 affections on high to the end through hope 1013 00:57:16,230 --> 00:57:19,990 to be citizens of the kingdom of heaven 1014 00:57:19,990 --> 00:57:25,760 but now let us fall down before the 1015 00:57:25,760 --> 00:57:29,720 majesty of our good God in acknowledging our 1016 00:57:29,720 --> 00:57:33,020 offenses praying Him that it will please Him 1017 00:57:33,020 --> 00:57:34,600 in such a way to make us feel 1018 00:57:34,600 --> 00:57:37,660 them that it may serve to make us 1019 00:57:37,660 --> 00:57:40,880 there to open them and that we may 1020 00:57:40,880 --> 00:57:42,820 learn in such a way to fight against 1021 00:57:42,820 --> 00:57:46,380 all temptations that if we must endure many 1022 00:57:46,380 --> 00:57:49,280 poverties and miseries in this world how so 1023 00:57:49,280 --> 00:57:52,040 ever it be that this do not turn 1024 00:57:52,040 --> 00:57:55,100 us to wickedness and make us to decline 1025 00:57:55,100 --> 00:57:58,000 from the right path but that everyone may 1026 00:57:58,000 --> 00:58:02,100 here resist both himself as also all his 1027 00:58:02,100 --> 00:58:06,740 desires and all his passions and that we 1028 00:58:06,740 --> 00:58:08,820 may serve our God in such a way 1029 00:58:08,820 --> 00:58:11,640 that if it will please Him to prove 1030 00:58:11,640 --> 00:58:15,040 our patience in leaving us destitute of means 1031 00:58:15,040 --> 00:58:20,160 and of the conveniences of this world that 1032 00:58:20,160 --> 00:58:23,240 we may bear all with a quiet and 1033 00:58:23,240 --> 00:58:27,620 peaceable courage until we be received into this 1034 00:58:27,620 --> 00:58:31,340 blessed inheritance where we shall not lack anything 1035 00:58:31,340 --> 00:58:34,840 what so ever it be but there we 1036 00:58:34,840 --> 00:58:38,600 shall have the fullness of all joy and 1037 00:58:38,600 --> 00:58:43,540 happiness Amen This recording is copyright and was 1038 00:58:43,540 --> 00:58:45,740 made with the permission of Old Towns Publications 1039 00:58:45,740 --> 00:58:47,780 and may not be duplicated without their written 1040 00:58:47,780 --> 00:58:50,820 permission This Reformation audio resource was read by 1041 00:58:50,820 --> 00:58:54,340 Mr. Mike Grounds on August 12, 2001 and 1042 00:58:54,340 --> 00:58:57,560 is a production of Stillwaters Revival Books Many 1043 00:58:57,560 --> 00:58:59,760 free resources as well as our complete mail 1044 00:58:59,760 --> 00:59:02,280 order catalog are available on the web at 1045 00:59:02,280 --> 00:59:07,060 www.swrb.com www.swrb.com The site 1046 00:59:07,060 --> 00:59:10,780 and catalog contain many classic and contemporary Puritan 1047 00:59:10,780 --> 00:59:13,920 and Reformed books and CDs at great discounts 1048 00:59:13,920 --> 00:59:16,800 We can also be reached by email Our 1049 00:59:16,800 --> 00:59:22,680 email address is swrb at swrb.com Or 1050 00:59:22,680 --> 00:59:28,960 contact us by phone at 780-450-3730 1051 00:59:28,960 --> 00:59:33,260 780-450-3730 By fax at 780-468 1052 00:59:33,260 --> 00:59:37,180 -1096 780-468-1096 Or by mail at 1053 00:59:37,780 --> 00:59:44,420 4710 37A Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Our postal code 1054 00:59:44,420 --> 00:59:49,980 is T6L3T5 T6L3T5 If you do not have 1055 00:59:49,980 --> 00:59:52,740 a web connection please contact us to request 1056 00:59:52,740 --> 00:59:55,120 a free printed catalog Thank you