Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

Here, the Prophet amplifieth his purpose, showing that God the Father would send our Lord Jesus Christ, not only to be a Saviour unto the Jews (although he was lively promised unto them) but also unto the whole world. Now, to prove the meaning of the Prophet to be thus,¹ S. Paul himself saith as much in his Epistle to the Romans, applying this saying unto his, being sent into strange countries, having travelled here and there, filling all nations with the Gospel, & in such places as God was never spoken of, preaching not only unto the Jews, but also unto the Gentiles.

Héere, the Prophet amplifieth his purpose, shewing that God the Father would send our Lorde Iesus Christ, not onely to bée a Sauiour vnto the Iewes (although hée was liuely promised vnto them) but also vnto the whole world. Now, to proue the meaning of the Prophet to be thus,¹ S. Paul himself saith as much in his Epistle to the Romans, applying this saying vnto his, being sent into straunge countries, hauing trauelled here and there, filling all nations with the Gospell, & in such places as God was neuer spoken of, preaching not only vnto the Iewes, but also vnto the Gentiles.

1. 1Rom. 15.21

Thus we see the drift of the Prophet: and this place ought to be as a key, to open unto us the kingdom God. For if Jesus Christ had not been promised but only to the line of Abraham, what had we been the better for him? For although he was a Saviour and Redeemer, yet is this nothing ⟨image 103⟩to us, we have neither part nor portion herein. But because it was told of so long time, before he was sent, that he should bedew all people: Forsooth, because that they which never before understood, might understand: and that they to whom it was never before told, might hear: Let us understand, that our God had adopted us, when as Jesus Christ came into the world, and that he accomplished whatsoever was requisite and necessary for our salvation: insomuch that the Gospel is now as a rain to give us heavenly strength, by reason we are altogether fruitless, and because we are hunger starved, and void of the grace of God, we must be strengthened by the doctrine of the Gospel, that we might feel what the death of our Redeemer is worth, and what it availeth us, and that his life is the perfection of our joy. Now, it is most certain, that the Prophet would never have spoken here of the Jews, had they not bin brought up & acquainted with the law: but would have included the strange nations, who before had been brought up in all superstition and idolatry. For all the world cut off the God of Israel, & had him in contempt, and the Gentiles, made a scorn at the true religion. Now, it is said that they should hear, and having heard,