A17642:459
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated out of Latin into English for the great profit of our country-men, by Christopher Fetherstone student in divinityThe commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated out of Latine into English for the great profite of our countrie-men, by Christopher Fetherstone student in diuinitie
Londini: printed by Thomas Dawson, 1585
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.
Therefore when he calleth them uncircumcised in heart, he doth not only mean that they are rebellious against god & stubborn: but that they were found treacherous & covenant breakers even in that sign whereof they did so greatly boast, and so he turneth that back most fitly to their shame, whereof they made boast to their glory. For this is all one as if he should have said, that they had ⟨p. 173⟩broken the covenant of the Lord, so that their circumcision was void & profane. This speech is taken out of the law and the prophets. For as god hath appointed the sign, so he would have the Jews know to what end they were circumcised: to wit, that they might circumcise their hearts and all their corrupt affections to the Lord, as we read, And now circumcise your hearts to the Lord.1 Wherefore the letter of circumcision, as Paul calleth it, is a vain visor with God. So, forasmuch as at this day, the spiritual washing is the truth of our baptism, it is to be feared least that may well be objected to us, that we are not partakers of Baptism, because our souls and flesh are polluted with filthiness.
Therefore when he calleth them vncircumcised in heart, he doth not only meane that they are rebellious against god & stubborn: but that they were found treacherous & couenāt breakers euen in that signe whereof they did so greatly boast, and so he turneth that backe most fitly to their shame, whereof they made boast to their glorie. For this is all one as if hee shoulde haue said, that they had ⟨p. 173⟩broken the couenant of the Lord, so that their circumcision was void & profane. This speech is taken out of the law and the prophetes. For as god hath appointed the signe, so he would haue the Iewes know to what end they were circumcised: to wit, that they might circūcise their hearts and all their corrupt affections to the Lord, as we reade, And now circumcise your heartes to the Lorde.1 Wherefore the letter of circumcision, as Paule calleth it, is a vain visure with God. So, forasmuch as at this day, the spirituall washing is the truth of our baptisme, it is to be feared least that may well bee obiected to vs, that wee are not partakers of Baptisme, because our soules and flesh are polluted with filthinesse.