28 For he is not a Jew, &c. The meaning is that a true Jew is not to be judged either by the progeny of the flesh, or title of profession,1 or by the the external Sacrament or sign. Neither doth that circumcision which maketh a Jew consist only in outward figure or show, but both of them are internal or inward. That which he addeth of true circumcision is taken ⟨p. 30⟩from diverse places of Scripture, yea from their common doctrine: because the people are every where commanded to circumcise their heart, and the Lord promiseth, that he will do it. For the foreskin was cut off, not as a little corruption of one part, but as the corruption of the whole nature. Therefore circumcision is the mortification of the whole flesh.2 Whereas he addeth, that it is in the spirit, and not in the letter, Understand it thus: he calleth the external observation without piety, the letter: by the spirit he meaneth the end of the ceremony, which is spiritual. For seeing the whole weight or substance of signs and rites depend upon their end: the end being taken away, the letter only remaineth, which by it self is unprofitable. And this is the reason of the speech: because where the word of God is preached, whatsoever it commandeth, except it be received of men with a sincere affection of the heart, it abideth in the letter, that is in the cold or faint letter: but if it pierce into the mind, it is in a manner transformed into the spirit. He alludeth unto the difference of the old and new testament which Jeremiah noteth,3 where the Lord pronounceth that his covenant shall be firm, and stable, after that it is graven in their inward parts. Paul also in another place had respect hereunto, where he comparing the law with the Gospel, calleth the law the letter, which is not only dead, but also killeth,4 but the Gospel he adorneth with the title spirit. Furthermore too gross hath the foolishness of those been which have made of the letter a two fold sense, and of the spirit Allegories.
28 For he is not a Iewe, &c. The meaning is that a true Iew is not to be iudged either by ye progenie of the fleshe, or title of profession,1 or by the the externall Sacrament or signe. Neither doth that circumcision which maketh a Iewe consist only in outwarde figure or shewe, but both of them are internall or inwarde. That which hee addeth of true circumcision is taken ⟨p. 30⟩from diuerse places of Scripture, yea from their common doctrine: because the people are euery where commaunded to circumcise their hearte, and the Lorde promiseth, that he wil doe it. For the foreskinne was cut off, not as a little corruption of one part, but as the corruption of the whole nature. Therefore circumcision is the mortification of the whole fleshe.2 Whereas hee addeth, that it is in the spirite, and not in the letter, Vnderstand it thus: he calleth the externall obseruatiō without pie•ie, ye letter: by the spirite he meaneth the end of the ceremonie, which is spirituall. For seeing the whole weight or substance of signes and rites depend vpon their ende: the ende beeing taken away, the letter only remaineth, which by it selfe is vnprofitable. And this is the reason of the speeche: because where the worde of God is preached, whatsoeuer it commaundeth, except it bee receiued of men with a sincere affection of the hearte, it abideth in the letter, that is in the colde or faint letter: but if it pearse into the minde, it is in a manner transformed into the spirite. He alludeth vnto the difference of ye old and newe testamēt which Ieremie noteth,3 where the Lorde pronounceth that his couenant shal bee firme, and stable, after that it is grauen in their inwarde partes. Paul also in another place had respect heereunto, where he comparing the lawe with the Gospel, calleth the lawe the letter, which is not onely dead, but also killeth,4 but the Gospell hee adorneth with the title spirite. Furthermore too grosse hath the foolishnesse of those beene which haue made of the letter a two folde sense, and of the spirite Allegories.
- 1A true Jew & true circumcision is internal.A true Iewe & true circumcision is internal.
- 2Letter signifieth the external observation: Spirit the end of the ceremony.Letter signifieth the external obseruation: Spirite the ende of the ceremonie.
- 3Jer. 31.33.Ier. 31.33.
- 41. Cor. 3.6.
