Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Neither could the Syrians do it, nor any of all the other nations that troubled them (as we see in the time of the Judges) & which invaded the Land of Canaan and brought the children of Israel under tribute and subjection. For even then although the children of Israel were oppressed, and cast down, as it were, and thrust under foot, and their neighbours which were §10heathen and Infidels had their full scope: yet notwithstanding, Gods adoption abode still in the linage of Abraham, and the case of those that reigned over them was never a whit the better for it, because they ceased not to serve their idols still. But when the Gospel was preached openly to the world, then did we succeed in the place of those which had been heirs of the promise afore, accordingly as Saint Paul likeneth us to wild slips which are grafted §20into a good stock,¹ even so is it with us. For we be but things borne out of time, if we be compared with the Jews who were after a sort the natural children of God. Howbeit forasmuch as GOD had promised Abraham that he would be the saviour of his offspring,² the same belonged to all such as were descended of him,³ accordingly also as Saint Peter telleth them, You be the children of the prophets, and heirs of the promise: as who should say that §30salvation belonged to them, even by true and lawful succession: but when as they did cut off themselves from it by their own unthankfulness, then did GOD call us unto him. True it is that if the Jews had received our Lord Jesus Christ, yet had the doctrine of the Gospel bin spread abroad nevertheless, throughout the world, and so should we have been joined and knit together in one. But forasmuch as the Jews conveyed themselves out of the §40household and Church of God, and embraced not the grace which was offered unto them: their room became empty, and so we entered thereinto, insomuch as GOD hath now banished them, to the intent to make as it were a new house. And therefore S. Paul applieth this text to his own time.