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…

Hereupon he addeth, that he is our peace, making both one, yea even those that were far of, as well as them that were near. Like as in the forerehearced sentence S. Paul meant too humble the Gentiles, and showed how much they were indebted unto God: so here he addeth a warning for the Jews, to pull down their pride, that they might not think themselves too be better than other men, because God had chosen them. For according as men are always given to advance themselves beyond measure, that people abused Gods grace, and bare themselves in hand that the linage of Abraham was as a linage of Angels. Too be short, when it was told them, that the Church should be united together both of Jews and Gentiles without exception: they thought that God did them great wrong and injury. Insomuch that it was oftentimes told them, that Gods choosing of them, was neither for their virtue, nor for their nobility, nor for any thing else that he found in their persons: but because he had loved their fathers without any desert of theirs. Often times therefore were they warned by Moses and the Prophets, too challenge nothing at all too them selves, but too go too Gods free goodness, too spy out them selves there, too the end they might confess, that if they had any prerogative above others, that was not of themselves, nor for their own sakes, but because it was Gods good pleasure too keep them to himself for his own heritage. And yet for all that, S. Paul showeth here, that the Jews renounce their own salvation, if they match not with the Gentiles in true brotherhood. For why: Although the Jews were near God already, and had witness that he held them for his children: yet notwithstanding, the matter hung in suspense till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then behoved it them too be knit to God by the mediator, or else they should have had no peace in their consciences. For when men examine themselves, they must needs conclude by and by that God is justly their enemy. And for proof thereof, what have we in our thoughts, in our lusts, in our souls, and in our bodies, but utter corruption? Therefore it ought to make us to quake as oft as we think what we be. But the Jews had the Ceremonies and shadows of the Law, which were assurances of Gods grace ⟨p. 90⟩unto them. Yea, but if they had stayed there, what a thing had that bin?

Hereuppon he addeth, that hee is our peace, making both one, yea euen those that were farre of, as well as them that were neere. Lyke as in the forerehearced sentence S. Paule ment too humble the Gentiles, and shewed howe muche they were indetted vntoo God: so heere he addeth a warning for the Iewes, to pull downe their pryde, that they myght not think themselues too bee better than other men, bicause God had chozen them. For acording as men are alwayes giuen to auaunce themselus beyond measure, that people abused Gods grace, and bare thēselues in hand that the linage of Abraham was as a linage of Angels. Too bee short, when it was told them, that the Church should bee vnited togither both of Iewes and Gentyles without exception: they thought that God did them great wrong and iniurie. In somuch that it was oftentymes told them, that Gods choozing of them, was nother for their vertue, nor for their nobilitie, nor for any thing else that he found in their persons: but bicause he had loued their fathers without any desert of theirs. Often tymes therfore were they warned by Moyses and the Prophets, too chalenge nothing at al too them selues, but too goe too Gods free goodnesse, too spye out them selues there, too the ende they myght confesse, that if they had any prerogatiue aboue others, that was not of themselues, nor for their own sakes, but bicause it was Gods good pleasure too keepe them to himself for his owne heritage. And yit for all that, S. Paule sheweth heere, that the Iewes renounce their own saluation, if they match not with the Gentiles in true brotherhood. For why: Although the Iewes were neere God alredye, and had witnesse that he hild them for his children: yit notwithstanding, the matter hung in suspence til the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Then behoued it them too bee knit to God by the mediator, or else they should haue had no peace in their consciences. For when men examin themselues, they must needs conclude by and by that God is iustly their enemye. And for proof therof, what haue wee in our thoughts, in our lusts, in our soules, and in our bodies, but vtter corruption? Therfore it ought to make vs to quake as oft as wee thinke what wee bee. But the Iewes had the Ceremonies and shadowes of the Law, which were assurances of Gods grace