Chapter 4

CHAP. 4.

1 What shall we say then, that our father Abraham hath found concerning the flesh. 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath wherein to rejoice, but not with God. 3 For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

1 VVHat shall wee saye then, that our father Abraham hath found concerning the flesh. 2 For if Abraham were iustified by works, he hath wherin to reioyce, but not with God. 3 For what saith the Scripture? Abraham beleeued God, and it was counted to him for righteousnesse.

¹What shall we say then. This is a confirmation taken from an example, which is strong enough, because all things are like as well in the matter as in the person. For both he is the father of the faithful, to whom all ought to be conformed: and also there is but one, not many ways for all men to obtain righteousness by. In many other things an example should not serve to make a common rule: but because in the person of Abraham there was proposed a mirror or pattern of righteousness which appertaineth to the whole church: ••orthe ••herefore doth Paul apply that unto the whole body of the Church, which was written of him only. And also hereby he restraineth the Jews, to whom nothing was more plausible to glory of, than to boast themselves to be the sons of Abraham. They never durst ascribe unto themselves more sanctity or holiness then unto the holy Patriarch. Now seeing it is apparent he was justified freely, his posterity which do arrogate •nto themselves their own proper righteousness out of the law, must hee•es for shame hold their peace. According to the flesh. Because in the text of Paul the verb Eurckenai id est hath found is put between this particle & the name father. After this manner, what shall we say Abraham our father hath found according to the flesh? Some interpreters think here to be demanded, what Abraham hath gotten according to the flesh. Which exposition if it be liked, then this saying according to the flesh, shall be as much as naturally, or of himself. Nevertheless, it is like that it is joined unto this […] father in steed of an Epithe. For besides that we are woote to be more moved with domesticall examples: the dignity of peegrie wherein the Jews glorified too much is precisely noted again. Many think it to be added by the way of contempt: in which sense in another place they are called the carnal sons of Abraham, which are not spiritual nor at all lawful: I verily suppose it was expressed for the Jews sake only: because it was more excellent to be the sons of Abraham by nature and descent of flesh, so that they were