But least any should make a doubt therefore, that he might charge the Gospel with newness, and to defame it, he allegeth the scriptures of the prophets, where that was forespoken, which we see now fulfilled. For all the Prophets have given so large testimony unto the Gospel, that it can not else where be better confirmed. And by this means God did rightly prepare the minds of his, least the novelty of a thing wherewith they were not acquainted, should too much astonish them.1 If any object that there is a contrariety in the words of Paul, because he saith that that mystery of the which GOD hath given testimony by his Prophets was hidden in all ages, this knot is easily unfolded by Peter, namely that the prophets,2 whiles they diligently inquired of the salvation offered to us, did not minister to themselves, but to us. Therefore, God by speaking ⟨image 217⟩then, held his peace, because he held the revelation of those things, of the which he would have his servants to prophesy, in suspense. Although it is not certainly agreed upon among the learned,3 in what sense, both here and to the Ephes. he calleth the Gospel an hidden mystery. The opinion of them, is more firm, which refer it to the calling of the Gentiles, which Paul him self precisely toucheth to the Colos. Yet I, albeit I confess that to be one cause,4 can not be brought to believe, that is the only cause. It seemeth more probable unto me, that Paul had respect also unto the other differences of the old and new Testament. For although the Prophets in old time, taught all those things, which are expounded by Christ, and his apostles: yet they taught them with such obscurity, in comparison of the clear light of the Gospel, that it is no marvel, if they be said to have bin hidden, which now are made manifest. Neither is it without cause that the prophet Malac. saith,5 there should rise the sun of righteousness: neither that the prophet Isaiah hath before hand so highly commended the embassage of the Messiah.
But least any shoulde make a doubte therefore, that he might charge the Gospell with newnes, and to defame it, he alleageth the scriptures of the prophets, where that was forespoken, which we see nowe fulfilled. For all the Prophets haue giuen so large testimonie vnto the Gospel, that it can not els where be better confirmed. And by this meanes God did rightly prepare the mindes of his, least the noualtie of a thinge wherewith they were not acquainted, should too much astonishe them.1 If any obiect that there is a contraryetie in the wordes of Paule, because he saith that that mysterie of the which GOD hath giuen testimonie by his Prophetes was hidden in all ages, this knot is easily vnfolded by Peter, namely that the prophets,2 whiles they diligently inquired of the saluation offered to vs, did not minister to themselues, but to vs. Therfore, God by speaking ⟨image 217⟩then, helde his peace, because hee helde the reuelation of those things, of the which he would haue his seruants to prophesie, in suspence. Although it is not certainely agreed vpon among the learned,3 in what sence, both here and to the Ephes. he calleth the Gospel an hidden mysterie. The opinion of them, is more firme, which referre it to the calling of the Gentiles, which Paul him selfe precisely toucheth to the Colos. Yet I, albeit I confesse that to be one cause,4 can not be brought to beleeue, that is the onely cause. It seemeth more probable vnto me, that Paul had respecte also vnto the other differences of the olde and newe Testament. For although the Prophets in olde time, taught all those things, which are expounded by Christ, and his apostles: yet they taught them with such obscuritie, in comparison of the cleare light of the Gospel, that it is no maruell, if they bee saide to haue bin hidden, which now are made manifest. Neither is it without cause that the prophet Malac. saith,5 there should rise the sonne of righteousnesse: neither that the prophet Esai hath before hand so highly commended the embassage of the Messias.
- 1Objection.Obiection.
- 2Answer. 1. Pet. 1.12.Answere. 1. Pet. 1.12.
- 3Ephe. 3.9. Collos. 1.27.
- 4Collos. 1.27.
- 5Mal. 4.2.
