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…

Again, whereas Saint Pau•e saith, that the calling of the Gentiles too the knowledge of the Gospel, that they might be joined to them that were near already, was a mystery or secret: we have too note, that God purposed to humble the world, and too hold it (as ye would say) bridled, too the end that we should learn too honour his providence, notwithstanding that the reasons thereof be unknown too us, and the means thereof hid from us. God could have published the Gospel immediately upon the creating of the world, or straight after Adams fall: but he did put it off by the space almost of two thousand years: and afterwards again after the flood, although the world were renewed again, yet drave he it of again. So then there passed a sixteen hundred years or thereabouts before Abraham was called. And when God chose him and all his linage, it was not yet the Gospel. Nevertheless God took one man in his old age, that was already passing and half dead, yea and even as good as buried, and in the mean while letteth the whole world go too destruction. Now after that four hundred years more were spent, the Law was published, howbeit, that was but too Abraham's linage only. The Gentiles being the far greater number, were nevertheless excluded. This matter seemeth strange at the first sight, and they that would hold God bridled to their lust, will find matter enough here to jangle at, & so do they in deed. For they would needs have God bound to call all the world alike without exception. But that will he not do. Again, is the Law given? Then passeth there a long time before Jesus Christ come into the world. Too be short, for the space of almost four thousand years, there passed an infinite number of people, wandering here and there like blind wretches, and walking in the shadow of death, and God did let them still alone, as it is said i• the seventeenth of the Acts.¹ Suddenly the Trumpet […] and the wall was broken down•, and God gathered together […] e•st strayed from him, and had despised his name. He recey••• them too favour by means of our Lord Jesus Christ,² in whose person the ⟨image 131⟩