The Institution of Christian Religion

And that Paul teacheth no absurdity, that all Gods promises whatsoever they be, are confirmed and fulfilled in him. There be certain examples that make for the contrary. For if is not likely that Naaman the Syrian,¹ when he required of the Prophet the manner how to worship God aright, was instructed concerning the Mediator:² yet his godliness is praised. Cornelius a Gentile & a Romaine, could scarcely understand that which was known not to all the Jews, yea & that very darkly: yet his alms & prayers were acceptable to God.³ And the sacrifice of Naaman, by the Prophets answer allowed. Which thing neither of them could obtain but by faith. Likewise it may be said of the Eunuch to whom Philip was carried, why, the if he had not had some faith, would not have taken upon him the travail and expenses of so long a journey, to worship. Yet we see, when Philippe examined him, how he bewrayed his ignorance of the Mediator. And truly I grant that their faith was […] ⟨image 202⟩unexpressed, not only concerning Christs person, but also concerning his power and the office committed unto him of the Father. Yet in the mean time it is certain, that they were instructed in such principles, as gave them some taste of Christ, although but very small. Neither ought this to seem strange. For neither would the Eunuch have come in haste to Jerusalem from a far country to worship an unknown God, neither did Cornelius when he had ones embraced the Jewish religion spend so much time, without being acquainted with the first grounds of true doctrine. As for Naaman, it had ben to fond an absurdity for Elyzeus when he taught him of small things, to have said nothing of the principal point. Therefore although there were among them a dark knowledge of Christ, yet it is not likely that there was no knowledge because they did use them selves in the sacrifices of the law, which must have been discerned by the very end, of them that is Christ, from the false sacrifices of the Gentiles.

And that Paule teacheth no absurditie, that all Gods promyses whatsoeuer they bee, are confyrmed and fulfilled in hym. There be certayne exaumples that make for the contrarie. For yf ys not lykely that Naaman the Syrian,