The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

11. Wherefore remember that you which were sometime Gentiles in the flesh, being called uncircumcision, in respect of that which is called circumcision, made by hand in the flesh: 12. Were at that time without Christ, strangers too the common weal of Israel, and strangers from the covenants that contain the promise, without hope, and without God in the world. 13. But now in Jesus Christ, you that were erewhile far of, are made near by the blood of Christ.

11. VVherfore remember that you vvhich vvere sometime Gentiles in the fleshe, beyng called vncircumcision, in respect of that vvhich is called circumcision, made by hand in the flesh: 12. VVere at that time vvithout Christ, straungers too the common vveale of Israell, and straungers from the couenants that conteyne the promise, vvithout hope, and vvithout God in the vvorld. 13. But novv in Iesus Christ, you that vvere erevvhyle farre of, are made neere by the blud of Christ.

Although the things that are preached unto us generally concerning Gods grace, ought too mo•e us too magnify his name, and to acknowledge the benefits that we have received of him: yet notwithstanding if a thing be done privately unto us, then ought we to be touched yet the more therewith. The same order keepeth S. Paul here. For we have seen this morning, ⟨image 98⟩how he made clean riddance of all that is in man, that there might be but only one ground work of salvation, that is too wit, the mere goodness of God. Now he applieth the same particularly too the Ephesians, willing them too bethink themselves of their plight wherein God found them: as if after his speaking of all mankind, he should send every one of us too his own experience. And in very deed, that which is spoken here too the Ephesians, concerneth us also, like as if a man having told us of the forlornness whereinto we be tumbled by Adams fall, should say: Consider also what you were, and after what sort you lived in all beastliness, before such time as God called you too the knowledge of himself. The thing then which we have too mark, is, that S. Paul having showed how that all men from the greatest too the least, ought too confess that they have their salvation through Gods only goodness, addeth another particular declaration, wherein he showeth the thing that every one of the faithful ought too know in himself. True it is that the thing which he hath said for that time, would not agree in all points too our days: but yet shall S. Pauls answer always have his course, and serve too good purpose. For although we have bin baptized from our infancy, yet come we of such as erst were cut of from Gods Church. For the Jews were shoaled out from all other nations of the world, as a people whom God had ordained too himself, we were then all Heathen, (I mean as in respect of our forefathers,) before the Gospel was preached too the world. But now again we see what confusion is come upon us, through the unthankfulness of such as were called too the truth of the Gospel, and how we have strayed away after such a sort, that we have bin as good as cut of from Gods Church again.