By the verb to show, which is presently added, he sets forth the special goodness of God, who vouchsafed to reveal his secrets to the elect and chosen people, by the ministry of the Prophets. By the ancient people, some understand the Gentiles, saying, that the singular number is put for the plural; because the Lord no sooner furnished the nations with people, but he separated them one from another, and established an order which should endure for ever. Others extend it unto the creatures, so as the stars should be one people; and the herbs, beasts, and such like, should be another. But when I consider all circumstances, I am constrained to follow another exposition; to wit, that the Lord speaks of his people, and calls them ancient, because he preferred them before all others: and yet it is certain that there were some long before them. The Egyptians, Arcadians,1 and others, brag of their antiquity. As touching Abraham, 2he came out of Mesopotamia, whilst the Chaldeans flourished: and lived solitarily in his house, as if the memory of his name should have been buried in oblivion, when the neighbour Countries were replenished with people, and with all sorts of benefits. Neither must we judge of the antiquity of Israel by the length of years, or in respect of any thing external, but by Gods election: 3for which cause indeed, the foundations of Jerusalem are called everlasting. It is as much then as if he had said; Before there were any men to forge or frame Idols, I determined in my secret counsel to have a Church, which should endure for ever. This people therefore is the most ancient and excellent of all others, though others be before them both in years and in dignity. For as all things were created for man, so all men were made to serve the Church:4 yea, there is not any nation whatsoever, be it never so high or mighty, which is not much inferior. For the Church is the body of Christ, which far surpasseth both in age and excellency.5 We will not stand to recount fables,6 as the Jews do, who affirm Jerusalem to be built from the beginning: for the Prophet respects not beginnings of time here. And yet we must hold this principle,7 that the elect people are more honourable and ancient, then the strange nations; because they approach nearer unto God, who is the fountain of eternity.
By the verbe to shew, which is presently added, he sets forth the speciall goodnesse of God, who vouchsafed to reueale his secrets to the elect and chosen people, by the ministerie of the Prophets. By the antient people, some vnderstand the Gentiles, saying, that the singuler number is put for the plurall; because the Lord no sooner furnished the nations with people, but he separated them one from another, and established an order which should indure for euer. Others extend it vnto the creatures, so as the starres should bee one people; and the hearbs, beasts, and such like, should be another. But when I consider all circumstances, I am constrained to follow another exposition; to wit, that the Lord speakes of his people, and calles them ancient, because he preferred them before all others: and yet it is certaine that there were some long before them. The Egyptians, Arcadians,1 and others, brag of their antiquitie. As touching Abraham, 2he came out of Mesopotamia, whilest the Caldeans florished: and liued solitarily in his house, as if the memorie of his name should haue been buried in obliuion, when the neighbour Countries were replenished with people, and with all sorts of benefits. Neither must we iudge of the antiquitie of Israel by the length of yeeres, or in respect of any thing externall, but by Gods election: 3for which cause indeed, the foundations of Ierusalem are called euerlasting. It is as much then as if he had said; Before there vvere any men to forge or frame Idols, I determined in my secret counsell to haue a Church, which should indure for euer. This people therefore is the most ancient and excellent of all others, though others be before them both in yeeres and in dignitie. For as all things were created for man, so all men were made to serue the Church:4 yea, there is not any nation whatsoeuer, be it neuer so high or mightie, which is not much inferiour. For the Church is the body of Christ, which far surpasseth both in age and excellencie.5 We will not stand to recount fables,6 as the Iewes doe, who affirme Ierusalem to be built from the beginning: for the Prophet respects not beginnings of time here. And yet wee must hold this principle,7
- 1Egyptians, Arcadians.
- 2Abraham. Gen. 11.31.
- 3We must fetch our antiquity from Gods election.We must fetch our antiquitie from Gods election.
- 4All men made to serve the Church.All men made to serue the Church.
- 5The Church Christs body, therefore she is the most ancient and excellent of all.The Church Christs bodie, therefore shee is the most ancient and excellent of all.
- 6Fables.
- 7A principle.
