What shall we say then? that the Gentiles, who sought not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;

because they sought it not by faith, but by the works of the law, for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone;

and Esaias positively affirms, "I was found of them that sought me not, I was made manifest to them that asked not after me:"

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he sought: but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded,