The Institution of Christian Religion

And both these points may be made plain with one word. The §2covenant of all the fathers so differeth nothing from ours in substance & in the matter it self, that it is altogether one and the self same: but the ministration is diverse. But because of so great shortness no man were able to attain a certain understanding, we must needs proceed on with a longer declaration if we mean to profit any thing at all. But in showing how they are like or rather all one, it shall be superfluous to discourse again of new upon all the special particulars that have already ben declared: and it shall be out of season to mingle those things together that remain yet to be spoken in other places. Here we must chiefly rest upon three principal points: First, that we hold, that carnal wealth and felicity was not the mark appointed to the Jews to aspire unto, but that they were by adoption chosen unto the hope of immortality: and that the truth of this adoption was certainly assured unto them both by oracles, and by the law, and by the prophets. Secondarily, that the covenant whereby they were joined ⟨image 148⟩to the Lord, was upholden not by any merits of theirs, but by the only mercy of God that called them. Thirdly, that they both had and knew Christ the mediator, by whom they should both be joined to God and enjoy his promises. Of which points, because the second peradventure is not yet sufficiently known, it shall in place appointed for it be declared at large. For we shall confirm by many and clear testimonies of the Prophets, that it was of his own mere goodness and tender favour, what so ever good the Lord at any time did, and promised to the people of Israel. The third also hath already had here and there some plain declarations of it, and we have not left the first altogether untouched.

And bothe these pointes maye be made playne with one word. The §2couenant of al the fathers so differeth nothing frō oures in substance & in the matter it selfe, that it is altogether one and the selfe same: but the ministration is diuerse. But bicause of so great shortnesse no man were able to atteine a certaine vnderstādyng, we must needs procede on with a longer declaratiō if we meane to profit any thing at all. But in shewyng how they are like or rather all one, it shalbe superfluous to discourse againe of new vpō al the special particulars that haue alredy ben declared: and it shalbe out of season to mingle those thinges together that remayne yet to be spokē in other places. Here we must chiefly rest vpon three principall pointes: Firste, that we holde, that carnal wealth and felicitie was not the marke apointed to the Iewes to aspire vnto, but that they were by adoption chosen vnto the hope of immortalitie: and that the truthe of this adoption was certainly assured vnto them bothe by oracles, and by the lawe, and by the prophetes. Secondarily, that the couenāt whereby thei were ioyned