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…

But first and formest we must resolve a question that might be put here, because the Patriarchs were not utterly ignorant what should insew, and the prophets bare record of it. For when there is any speaking, that the Gentiles should be matched with the people whom God had chosen and adopted before: it is said, that Moses foretold and uttered,¹ and that all the Prophets said, that the strangers should come too worship God, and too honour his majesty. Then was it not a thing utterly unknown at that time, as Saint Paul speaketh of it: but yet let us mark that all those prophesies ceased not too be dark, because the means were hidden. It is true that the hope of the faithful was, that God would one day gather together the world that was scattered after so horrible manner as we have seen: but as touching the knowledge of the time, that Circumcision, and the figures of the Law should be abolished, that God should be served after another better known fashion, that Jesus Christ should be as the daysimne of righteousness, that men should content themselves with him, that there should be no mo visible signs but Baptism and the Lords Supper, too confirm us withal in all the ghostly gifts which we obtain at this day:² all this (say I) was unknown. Yea & even the very Apostles themselves continued still in that gross ignorance, notwithstanding that our Lord Jesus Christ warned them of the things that were at hand.³ In deed when he sent them abroad into the Country of Jewry, he said unto them, Speak not yet too the Gentiles. But that was because the convenient time was not yet come.

But first and formest wee must resolue a question that myght bee put heere, bycause the Patriarkes were not vtterly ignorant what should insew, and the prophets bare record of it. For when there is any speaking, that the Gentyles should bee matched with the people whom God had chozen and adopted before: it is said, that Moyses foretold and vttered,¹ and that all the Prophets sayd, that the straungers should come too woorship God, and too honour his maiestie. Then was it not a thing vtterly vnknowen at that tyme, as Saint Paule speaketh of it: but yit let vs marke that all those prophesies ceassed not too bee darke, bycause the meanes were hidden. It is true that the hope of the faythfull was, that God woulde one day gather toogither the world that was scattered after so horrible manner as we haue seene: but as touching the knowledge of the tyme, that Circumcision, and the figures of the Lawe should bee abolished, that God should bee serued after another better knowen fashyon, that Iesus Christ should bee as the daysimne of ryghtuousenesse, that men should content themselues with him, that there should be no mo visible signes but Baptim and the Lords Supper, too confirme vs withall in all the ghostly gifts which wee obteyne at this day: