(Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

What fruit had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, you shall not covet.

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had before prepared unto glory,

And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of hosts had left us a descendant, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrah.