In preparing for a Catechism Sermon on Lord’s Day 10, I spent a little time working through Calvin’s comments on Psalm 145 and Ephesians 1, two passages often mentioned in the secondary literature either on providence or Lord’s Day 10. Once again, Calvin had this nice little gem on Ephesians 1 worth sharing!
The foundation and first cause, both of our calling and of all the benefits which we receive from God, is here declared to be his eternal election. If the reason is asked, why God has called us to enjoy the gospel, why he daily bestows upon us so many blessings, why he opens to us the gate of heaven, – the answer will be constantly found in this principle, that he hath chosen us before the foundation of the world. The very time when the election took place proves it to be free; for what could we have deserved, or what merit did we possess, before the world was made? How childish is the attempt to meet this argument by the following sophism! “We were chosen because we were worthy.” We were lost in Adam; and therefore, had not God, through his own election, rescued us from perishing, there was nothing to be foreseen. The same argument is used in the Epistle to the Romans, where, speaking of Jacob and Esau, he says, “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.” (Rom. ix. 11.) But though they had not yet acted, might a sophist of the Sorbonne This objection has no force when applied to the depraved natures of men, in whom nothing can be seen but materials for destruction. reply, God foresaw that they would act.
John Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul: Galatians and Ephesians, pg. 197-98.
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Andrew
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