Calvin: We Need To Distinguish Between The Internal And The External Relation To The Covenant Of Grace

For when Scripture speaks of the sons of God, sometimes it has respect to eternal election, which extends only to the lawful heirs; sometimes to external vocation, according to which many wolves are within the fold; and though, in fact, they are strangers, yet they obtain the name of sons, until the Lord shall disown them. Yea, even by giving them a title so honourable, Moses reproves their ingratitude, because, leaving their heavenly Father, they prostituted themselves as deserters.

John Calvin, Commentary on the First Book of Moses Called Genesis, trans. John King (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010) 1.238.

Resources

Subscribe to the Heidelblog today!