The Institution of Christian Religion

What then? wilt thou say: shall there be no difference left between the old testament and the new? and to what purpose serve all those places of Scripture, where they are compared one against the other, as things most contrary? I do willingly allow those differences that are rehearsed in the Scripture: but so that they nothing hinder the unity already stablished, as it shall be plain to see, when we shall have entreated of them in order. Those differences are (as far as ever I could mark or can remember) chiefly four in number, to y• which if you list to adjoin the v. I am not against it. I say and trust to prove that they are all such as rather belong to the manner of ministration, than to the substance of them. And by this mean they shall nothing hinder, but that the promises of both the old & new testament may remain all one & all one foundation of the same promises, Christ. Now the first difference is, that although, even in the old time also, the Lords will was to direct the minds of his people, and to have them raised up to the heavenly inheritance: yet, that they might be the better nourished in hope thereof, he gave it to be seen or rather to be tasted of, under earthly benefits: ⟨p. 76⟩But now having revealed the grace of the life to come, by the Gospel, he more clearly and plainly directeth our minds the straight way to the meditation thereof, leaving the inferior manner of exercising which he used with the Israelites. They that mark not this purpose of God, do not think that the old people climbed any higher than to the good things promised to the body. They so often hear the land of Canaan named, as the excellent, or rather only reward for the keepers of Gods law. They hear that God threateneth nothing more severely to the transgressors of the same law, than that they shall be driven out of the possession of the same land, and scattered abroad into strange regions. They see that in a manner to this effect come all the blessings & curses that are pronounced by Moses. Hereby they do undoubtedly determine, that the Jews not for their own sakes, but for others, were severed from other nations: that is, that the Church of Christ might have an image, in whose outward form she might see examples of spiritual things.