Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

28 As concerning the Gospel. He showeth how that which was evil in the Jews, did not serve to the end that they should therefore be contemned of the Gentiles, unbelief was the chief crime in them. And Paul showeth they were so for a time through the providence of God blinded, that a way might be made for the gospel unto the Gentiles: and yet they not for ever excluded from the grace of God. He confesseth therefore that presently they were alienated from God, by occasion of the gospel, that this way, that salvation which was laid up with them might come unto the Gentiles: and yet God not unmindful of that covenant which he made with their fathers, and wherein he testified that in his eternal counsel he loved that nation. And this he proveth by a notable sentence: namely, that the grace and calling of God cannot be void. For this is the meaning of these words. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He hath put gifts and calling by the figure Hypallage, for the benefit of calling: neither ought this to be understood of every particular calling,¹ but of that whereby God adopted the posterity of Abraham into covenant: seeing the disputation was specially of this, as a little before under the name of election he noted the secrete counsel of God, whereby the Jews were distinguished from the Gentiles. For this is to be observed, that the question is not of the private election of every one, but of the common adoption of an whole nation, ⟨image 172⟩which for a time in outward appearance might seem to be fallen, but not cut down by the roots. Because the Jews were fallen from their prerogative, and salvation promised them, that there might be some hope of the remnant, Paul proveth that the counsel of GOD standeth firm and immutable, whereby he vouchsafed once to choose them unto himself for a peculiar people. If then it cannot be that the Lord should fall from that covenant which he established with Abraham, I will be the God of thy seed: he hath not utterly taken his favour from the people of the Jews,² he doth not oppose the Gospel to election, as though they were contrary one to the other: for whom God hath chosen, those he calleth:

28 As concerning the Gospel. Hee sheweth howe that which was euill in the Iewes, did not serue to the ende that they should therefore be contemned of the Gentiles, vnbeliefe was ye chiefe crime in them. And Paule sheweth they were so for a time through the prouidence of God blinded, that a way might be made for the gospel vnto the Gentiles: and yet they not for euer excluded from the grace of God. Hee confesseth therefore that presently they were alienated from God, by occasion of the gospell, that this way, that saluation which was laide vp with them might come vnto the Gentiles: and yet God not vnmindfull of that couenant whiche hee made with their fathers, and wherein hee testified that in his eternall counsaile hee loued that nation. And this hee proueth by a notable sentence: namely, that the grace and calling of God cannot bee voide. For this is the meaning of these wordes. The giftes and calling of God are without repentance. Hee hath put gifts and calling by the figure Hypallage, for the benefite of calling: neither ought this to bee vnderstood of euery particuler calling,