After he hath said so, he addeth, that they were without Christ, and without promises. Here he showeth that the Sacraments take and borrow their force of Gods word. For if there were no more but the bare signs, it were no matter of great importance. If Circumcision had bin given too the Jews without any doctrine or instruction: too what purpose had it served? Surely they had bin never the better for it. But when as God sayeth, I am the God which sanctifieth you, you shall be my children, I will receive you, and therewith all take you for mine heritage: and on the other side also I give my self too you, and will be your life: forasmuch as Circumcision had such promises, it was as an inestimable treasure too the Jews, because the foundation (that is to wit, our Lord Jesus Christ) was laid sure, whereon the promises were settled, and as ye would say, confirmed. That then is the cause why S. Paul joineth here the common weal of Israel, and the instruments of Gods promises, and our Lord Jesus Christ all together. Howbeit in speaking of the common weal of Israel, he showeth, that God had chosen one certain linage which he would have too be holy: and so was it too be concluded, that all the rest ⟨p. 85⟩were unholy. In speaking of the instruments of the promises, he showeth (as I have touched already) that we must not look upon Circumcision in it self, but we must direct it too the right end of it. It becometh us too know wherefore God would have it used among the Jews: for otherwise it is but an Apes toy, as the number of fond devotions which the Gentiles had, whereby they hoped too have had holiness: but all of it was but abuse and trumpery, because they had no promise of God. Likewise they say now adays in the papacy, that they have many Sacraments, and therewithal as many murlimewes and gewgaws as can be: but all that God disalloweth, is but pelting trash. And why? for there is no word that sanctifieth them. So then let us mark well, that too profit our selves by the Sacraments, we must always be taught them by Gods doctrine. And thereby we may judge, that many are cut of from the Church of God, who notwithstanding are now adays thought to be highest in it. For in the mean while where is the instruction, which they should have too be partakers of the benefits that God offereth them?
After he hath sayd so, he addeth, that they vvere vvithout Christ, and vvithout promises. Here he sheweth that the Sacraments take and borrowe their force of Gods woord. For if there were nomore but the bare signes, it were no matter of great importance. If Circumcizion had bin giuen too the Iewes without any doctrine or instructiō: too what purpose had it serued? Surely they had bin neuer the better for it. But when as God sayeth, I am the God which sanctifyeth you, you shalbee my children, I will receyue you, and therwith all take you for myne heritage: and on the other syde also I giue my self too you, and wilbee your lyfe: forasmuch as Circumcizion had such promises, it was as an inestimable treasure too the Iewes, bicause the foundation (that is to wit, our Lord Iesus Christ) was layd sure, wheron the promises were setled, and as yee would say, confirmed. That then is the cause why S. Paule ioyneth heere the common weale of Israell, and the instruments of Gods promises, and our Lord Iesus Christ al toogither. Howbeeit in speaking of the common weale of Israell, he sheweth, that God had chozen one certeyne linage which he would haue too bee holie: and so was it too bee concluded, that all the rest ⟨p. 85⟩were vnholie. In speaking of the instruments of the promises, he sheweth (as I haue touched alredie) that wee must not looke vppon Circumcision in it selfe, but wee must direct it too the ryght end of it. It becommeth vs too knowe wherefore God would haue it vsed among the Iewes: for otherwyse it is but an Apes toy, as the number of fond deuotions which the Gentyles had, whereby they hoped too haue had holynesse: but all of it was but abuse and trumperie, bycause they had no promis of God. Lykewyse they say now adayes in the papacie, that they haue many Sacramentes, and therewithall as many murlimewes and gewgawes as can bee: but all that God disalloweth, is but pelting trash. And why? for there is no woorde that sanctifyeth them. So then let vs marke well, that too profit our selues by the Sacramentes, wee must alwayes be taught them by Gods doctrine. And thereby wee may iudge, that manie are cut of from the Church of God, who notwithstanding are now adayes thought to bee hyghest in it. For in the meane whyle where is the instructiō, which they should haue too be partakers of the benefytes that God offereth them?
