A01136:55
A sermon preached at the christening of a certain Jew at LondonA sermon preached at the christening of a certaine Iew at London
A sermon preached at the christening of a certain Jew at London by John Fox. Containing an exposition of the xi. chapter of S. Paul to the Romans. Translated out of Latin into English by James Bell.A sermon preached at the christening of a certaine Iew at London by Iohn Foxe. Conteining an exposition of the xi. chapter of S. Paul to the Romanes. Translated out of Latine into English by Iames Bell.
London: printed by Christopher Barker, 1578
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Very well now. And whereupon doth the blind arrogance of the Jewish Nation magnify their race? do we not derive our pedigree (say they) lineally from our most holy father Abraham? Are we not borne, and named Israelites, by the name of our great grandsire Israel, the Patriarch? did not the Lord credit us only with the safe custody of the Ark of his covenant? Have not we a promise from God by the mouth of his Prophets, of a Messiah and Saviour to come? Hath not god prepared an everlasting throne for the kingdom of our Messiah? Is not he of power to make his covenant inviolable, that with so many oaths hath ratified the same? Nor will he not perform the oaths which he hath made? Surely I will not much gainsay, ⟨image 27⟩that it is in deed no final matter, whereof each party debateth so largely of the promises of almighty God. Yet all this notwithstanding, all things depend not so always upon Gods promises made, but due consideration ought also be had of the mind and intent of him that maketh the promise in the scriptures: and the same well weighed and compared with the due circumstances and other places of the scripture, if we will be accounted true and sincere interpreters of Gods holy scriptures: that is to say, It behoveth us duly and orderly to define and dispose all and every thing apart by it self, not those things only which are promised, but must withal respect the persons, the place, the cause and consideration, and all other circumstances of the promises. And therefore albeit we do grant unto them that all those promises are true, whereupon they brag so much, touching the succession of the Patriarchs and Apostles, yet shall they never be able to win this at our hands, To wit, that this ordinary descent according to the law of the flesh, is a sufficient foundation to build the Church of God upon.1 In the which if we behold nothing else besides the outward ⟨image 28⟩form of succession only, who can be so pore-blind, as not to be able to discern the manifold alterations of orders, and observances, which the Lord from time to time hath changed and disposed, contrary to the first constitutions:
Uery well now. And whereupon doth the blinde arrogancie of the Iewish Nation magnifie their race? do we not deriue our petigree (say they) lyneally from our most holy father Abraham? Are we not borne, and named Israelites, by the name of our great graundsier Israel, the Patriarch? did not the Lord credite vs only with the safe custodie of the Arke of his couenant? Haue not we a promise from God by the mouth of his Prophets, of a Messhias and Sauiour to come? Hath not god prepared an euerlasting throne for the kingdom of our Messhias? Is not he of power to make his couenant inuiolable, that with so many othes hath ratified ye same? Nor will hee not perfourme the othes which he hath made? Surely I wil not much gainsay,