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…

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,¹ should also understand. By these words, the Prophet showeth, from whence faith cometh, to wit, by hearing of the word of God: But by the way, he also meaneth that it is not enough to have our ears beaten with the hearing of the Gospel, without we understand it. Now, this is not given to all men: and therefore this saying must be restrained unto Gods chosen people, and to such as are renewed by the holy Ghost: as also it is more lively declared when as he saith, Who will believe our preaching? and to whom shall the arm of the Lord be revealed?

Thus we sée the drift of the Prophete: and this place ought to bée as a keye, to open vnto vs the kingdome God. For if Iesus Christ had not béene promised but onely to the ligne of Abraham, what had wée béene the better for him? For although hée was a Sauiour and Redéemer, yet is this nothing ⟨image 103⟩