_What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?_ LESSONS FROM THE CASE OF ABRAHAM I. However much the most perfect of the species may have to glory of in the eye of his fellows, he has nothing to glory of before God. The apostle affirms this of Abraham, whos... [ Continue Reading ]
_But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that Justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness._ JUSTIFICATION OF THE UNGODLY The first sound of these words is startling. What! is it, then, the idle or the vicious person, he that does nothing or nothing that is good, and me... [ Continue Reading ]
_Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works._ IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS DEFENDED AGAINST ITS CARICATURES It has been represented as-- I. A legal fiction_._ We protest against this if the expression be meant anything unreal or untrue. 1... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only?_ …Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised. CIRCUMCISION--SACRAMENTAL EFFICACY AND INFANT BAPTISM Rightly have all Protestant churches maintained, as against Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not … through the law._ THE PROMISE MADE TO ABRAHAM I. The promise, “that he should be heir of the world,” was made not entirely to Abraham, but to his seed also (Romans 4:16). This promise included-- 1. Both the earthly and the heave... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace._ HOW IS SALVATION RECEIVED I. The fact. 1. It is of faith. And what is faith? It is taking God at His Word, and acting upon that by trusting in Him. Some of the Puritans used to divide it into three parts. (1) Self-renunciation, which is, per... [ Continue Reading ]
_As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations._ GOD’S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM I. Its grandeur and importance. 1. A spiritual seed. 2. A worldwide blessing. II. The power by which it must be accomplished. 1. Almighty. 2. Life-giving. 3. Creative. III. The means by which that power... [ Continue Reading ]
_And being not weak in faith … he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief._ THE SINFULNESS OF STAGGERING I. What is it to stagger at the promise? The word “staggered” is properly to make use of our own judgment and reason, in discerning of things, of what sort they be (1 Corinthians 11... [ Continue Reading ]