A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Wherefore on all accounts the Instance chosen by the Apostle was of singular use unto the Hebrews, and singularly suited unto their present condition. For as they received many Advantages from his personal Privileges who was their Father according to the Flesh; so they succeeded unto him in the spiritual part of the Promise; and therefore as the like Duties of Faith and Obedience and Perseverance were required of them as of him, so they in the performance of them had assurance given them in his success, that they also should inherit the Promise. So the Apostle applies his discourse ver. 17, 18.

Wherefore on all accounts the Instance chosen by the Apostle was of singular use unto the Hebrews, and singularly suited unto their present condition. For as they received many Advantages from his personal Priviledges who was their Father according to the Flesh; so they succeeded unto him in the spiritual part of the Promise; and therefore as the like Duties of Faith and Obedience and Perseverance were required of them as of him, so they in the performance of them had assurance given them in his success, that they also should inherit the Promise. So the Apostle applies his discourse ver. 17, 18.

Where the Promise of God is absolutely engaged, it will break through all Difficulties. and ¹Oppositions unto a perfect Accomplishment. No Promise of God shall ever fail or be of none effect. We may fail or come short of the Promise by our Unbelief; but the Promises themselves shall never fail. There have been great seasons of Trial in many Ages wherein the Faith of Believers hath been exercised to the utmost about the accomplishment of the Promises; but the Faithfulness of God in them all hath hitherto been ever Victorious, and it will be so for ever. And this Trial hath arose partly from Difficulties and Oppositions, with all Improbabilities of their Accomplishment on rational accounts, or with respect unto visible means; partly from a misunderstanding of the nature of the Promises, or of the season of their Accomplishment. Thus in the first great Promise given unto our Parents after the Fall, how soon was their Faith exercised about it. When they had but two Sons the one of them slew the other, and the survivor was rejected and cursed of God. From whom should now the promised Seed be expected to proceed and spring? Is it not probable that they were oft-times ready to say, where is the Promise of his coming? And yet indeed this which seemed to overthrow and disannul the Promise, was only a means of its farther confirmation. For the death of Abel upon his offering his acceptable Sacrifice, was a Type of Christ and his suffering in his mystical Body,