The following is a
section from The Decades III.6 in which Bullinger cites Lactantius from Lib.
Instit. Iv. Chap 17:
The meaning of
circumcision was, that we should make bare our breasts; to wit, that we should
live with a simple and plain dealing heart; because that part of the body,
which is circumcised, is partly like to a heart, and an object of shame: and
the cause why God commanded to make it bare was, that by that sign he might
admonish us not to have a covered heart, that is, that we should not cover the
secrets of our conscience any crime whereof we ought to be ashamed. And this is
the circumcision of the heart, whereof the prophet speak, which Hod hath
translated from the mortal flesh to the immortal soul. For the Lord being
wholly set and fully minded, according to his eternal goodness, to have a care
for our life and safeguard, did set repentance before our eyes for us to
follow, as a way to bring us thereunto: so that, if we make bare our hearts,
that is, by confession of our sins we satisfy the Lord, we should obtain pardon,
which is denied to the proud and those that conceal their faults by God, who
holdeth not the face as man doth, but searcheth the secrets of the breast.
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