The Institution of Christian Religion

And therefore God never showed him self merciful to the old people, nor ever did put them in any hope of grace without the Mediator. I omit to speak of the sacrifices of the law, wherein the faithful were openly and plainly taught, that salvation is no where else to be sought, but in the cleansing which was performed by Christ alone. Only this I say, that the blessed and happy state of the church hath ben alway grounded upon the person of Christ. For though God comprehended all the issue of Abraham in his covenant, yet doth Paul wisely reason,¹ that Christ is properly that seed in whom all nations were to be blessed, forasmuch as we know that not all they were reckoned his seed that were begotten of him according to the flesh. For (to speak nothing of Ismael & other) how came it to pass that of the two sons of Isaac, that is Esau and Jacob, brethren borne at one birth, while they were yet together in their mothers womb, the one was chosen, the other refused? Yea how came it to pass, that the elder was rejected and the younger only toke place? And how also came it to pass, that the greater part should be forsaken? It appeareth therefore, that the seed of Abraham was principally reckoned in one person, and that the promised salvation did never stand sure till it came to Christ, whose office is to gather together the things that were scattered abroad. Therefore the first adoption of the chosen people did hang upon the grace of the Mediator. Which though it be not in so plain words expressed by Moses, yet it sufficiently appeareth that it was commonly known to all the godly. For before that there was any king create among the people, Hanna the mother of Samuel entreating of the felicity of the godly,² even then said thus in her song: God shall give strength to his king, and shall exalt the horn of his anointed. In which words the meaneth that God shall bless his church. Wherewith also agreeth the oracle that is within a little after adjoined: The Priest whom I shall appoint shall walk before mine anointed. Neither is it to be doubted, but that the will of the heavenly father was to have the lively image of Christ to be seen in David and his posterity.³ Therefore meaning to exhort the godly to the fear of God, he biddeth them to kiss the Sonne.⁴