Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible





the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, Verse ConceptsAbraham, New Testament ReferencesGod Swearing Blessings

Besides, the promise that he should possess the world, was not made to Abraham, or to his posterity in consideration of the law, but with regard to the righteousness by faith. Verse ConceptsImputed RighteousnessGod's Promise To AbrahamRighteous By FaithPromisesTrust In Relationships

for I tell you, that Jesus Christ was a minister to the Jews, to manifest the veracity of God in fulfilling the promises made to the fathers: Verse ConceptsCertaintyPatriarchsGod's Promise To AbrahamSalvation For Israelvindication

For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity."

As Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness: so hence ye know, that it is they who believe who are the children of Abraham. and the scripture insinuating, that God would justify the Gentiles thro' faith, gave Abraham an intimation of the gospel in these words, " in thee shall all nations be blessed." read more.
so that it is they who believe, who are blessed with Abraham, who did believe. but they that rest themselves upon the works of the law, are obnoxious to the curse: for it is written, " cursed is every one, who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them:" but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, " the just shall live by faith." now the law does not justify by FAITH, but says, "he that DOES these things shall live by them." Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. (for it is written, " cursed is every one, that hangeth upon a tree.") that the blessing promised to Abraham might come on the Gentiles thro' Jesus Christ; that we by believing might receive the spirit that was promised. Brethren, I speak according to the practice of men; contracts between men, when once ratified, cannot be disannulled or altered afterwards by any man. now to Abraham and his offspring were the promises made. he does not say, "to offsprings," as if he spoke of many; but as speaking of one, "and to thy offspring," which means Christ. this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot. now if the right to the inheritance be from the law, it is no longer founded upon the promise; altho' God made a donation of it to Abraham by promise.


for it is there written, Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. he, who was of the bond-woman, was born according to the ordinary course of nature; but he, who was of the free-woman, was born by virtue of the promise. these things have an allegorical meaning: the two women signify the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, which is represented by Agar, whose children were born in a state of servitude. read more.
this Agar answers to the Jerusalem now in being, for she is in servitude with her children: but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all. for it is written, "rejoice thou barren, that bearest not; break out into loud acclamations, thou that hast not the travels of childbirth, for more are the children of the desolate, than of her that hath an husband." Now we, my brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of the promise. but as then, he that was born in the ordinary course of nature, persecuted him, who was born by an extraordinary power; even so it is now. but what saith the scripture? "cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bond-woman shall not share the inheritance with the son of the free-woman." so then, my brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free-woman, by virtue of that freedom which Christ has procur'd for us.

On this head we have many things to say, not easily to be comprehended, because of your prejudices. for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment. now he that is disciplined like a child, is not prepared for the doctrine of justification: read more.
such solid nourishment is only fit for such as are arriv'd at their full growth and strength, whose senses have been exercis'd in distinguishing what is good, and what is prejudicial.

Therefore omitting for the present the principles of the christian doctrine, we shall proceed to something more sublime, without mentioning those fundamental articles of repentance from destructive vices, and of divine faith: the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment: of which we shall treat another time, if God permit. read more.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have received the heavenly gifts, communicated by the holy spirit, and have known by experience the truth of the divine promises, and the miracles of the age that was to come; it is impossible, if they shall fall away, to re-instate themselves by repentance: seeing, as far in them lies, they crucify the son of God afresh, and expose him to open shame. for the earth which drinks up the frequent show'rs that fall upon it, and produces plants fit for the use of him that cultivates it, is stiled heavenly land: but that which bears thorns and briars, is look'd upon as lying under a curse; whose end will be to be burnt. But though we speak in this manner, my dear brethren, we expect better things of you, and such as are more suitable to your salvation. for God is too just to his promise not to regard your piety, and the love which you have shewn to the christian religion by the assistance ye have given to the saints, and still continue to give. but we desire that every one of you may shew the same concern, continuing to discharge the condition upon which your hopes are founded: that ye be not unactive, but imitate the example of those who by faith and patience have obtain'd the inheritance that was promis'd to them. For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity." and after he had patiently waited, he obtained what was promised. for when men swear by a superior, the ratifying what they say with an oath, puts an end to all further debate.




when any one heareth the doctrine of the gospel, and considers it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away what was sown in his heart: he is the person meant by the high-way, where some of the seed was sown: but the stony ground, where other seed fell, denotes the man that heareth the word, and at first receives it with pleasure: but having no root in him he has only an occasional faith: for as soon as any oppression or persecution arises upon account of the gospel, he presently relapses. read more.
he that is meant by the thorny ground, where other seed fell, is one that heareth the word: which by cares of this life, and the deceitful love of riches, is soon stifled, and becomes unfruitful:




for the desolation will be so dreadful, the like was never seen since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be again. for unless the time was to be short, very few could escape, but for the sake of the converts the time shall be short. Then if any shall cry, the Messiah is here, or he is there: give no credit to it. read more.
for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves. remember, I have forewarn'd you.

by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes. the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage.

We are oblig'd, my brethren, to render thanks to God continually upon your account, as it is but just; since your faith still improves, and your mutual love is always increasing. so that you are the subject of our glorying in the churches of God, for the constancy of your faith, under all the persecutions and afflictions you endure from men, by which you may be assur'd, that they will be punish'd by the divine justice, and that you shall be rewarded with the kingdom of God, for which you suffer;

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For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity." and after he had patiently waited, he obtained what was promised.

On this head we have many things to say, not easily to be comprehended, because of your prejudices. for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment. now he that is disciplined like a child, is not prepared for the doctrine of justification: read more.
such solid nourishment is only fit for such as are arriv'd at their full growth and strength, whose senses have been exercis'd in distinguishing what is good, and what is prejudicial.

Therefore omitting for the present the principles of the christian doctrine, we shall proceed to something more sublime, without mentioning those fundamental articles of repentance from destructive vices, and of divine faith: the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment: of which we shall treat another time, if God permit. read more.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have received the heavenly gifts, communicated by the holy spirit, and have known by experience the truth of the divine promises, and the miracles of the age that was to come; it is impossible, if they shall fall away, to re-instate themselves by repentance: seeing, as far in them lies, they crucify the son of God afresh, and expose him to open shame. for the earth which drinks up the frequent show'rs that fall upon it, and produces plants fit for the use of him that cultivates it, is stiled heavenly land: but that which bears thorns and briars, is look'd upon as lying under a curse; whose end will be to be burnt. But though we speak in this manner, my dear brethren, we expect better things of you, and such as are more suitable to your salvation. for God is too just to his promise not to regard your piety, and the love which you have shewn to the christian religion by the assistance ye have given to the saints, and still continue to give. but we desire that every one of you may shew the same concern, continuing to discharge the condition upon which your hopes are founded: that ye be not unactive, but imitate the example of those who by faith and patience have obtain'd the inheritance that was promis'd to them. For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity." and after he had patiently waited, he obtained what was promised. for when men swear by a superior, the ratifying what they say with an oath, puts an end to all further debate.

the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, Verse ConceptsAbraham, New Testament ReferencesGod Swearing Blessings

For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity."



and who were they, who, he sware, should not enter into his rest, but those that did not believe? so we see that they could not enter in, Verse ConceptsGod Swearing Harmdisobedience




for the law appointed frail mortals to be high priests, but the oracle pronounc'd with an oath, which was since the law, established the son, who is crown'd with immortal perfections. Verse ConceptsJesus Christ, Eternity OfGod, Perfection OfPriesthood, In NtConsecrationUnblemishmentChrist Made PerfectRivers


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Whereas 'tis we who have believed that shall enter into rest, as he said, "wherefore I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest." which is different from that rest, at the beginning of the world, when the work of creation was finished. Verse ConceptsCompletionHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityOpportunities, And SalvationPerfection, DivineEntering LifeSaved By FaithGod Swearing HarmFrom The BeginningGod Giving RestNew Testament Claiming Old Testament Is InspiredRestFinishing Strongfinishing


so I swear in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest." Verse ConceptsSleeplessnessEntering LifeGod Swearing Harm

and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven and all that is therein, the earth and all that is therein, the sea and all that is therein, "that the time should be no longer defer'd." Verse ConceptsEarth, Creation OfGod, Living And Self sustainingHeaven, Nature OfNatureCreation Of The Physical HeavensImminenceCreation Of The SeasGod Not DelayingSwearing ByRainbow




On this head we have many things to say, not easily to be comprehended, because of your prejudices. for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment. now he that is disciplined like a child, is not prepared for the doctrine of justification: read more.
such solid nourishment is only fit for such as are arriv'd at their full growth and strength, whose senses have been exercis'd in distinguishing what is good, and what is prejudicial.

Therefore omitting for the present the principles of the christian doctrine, we shall proceed to something more sublime, without mentioning those fundamental articles of repentance from destructive vices, and of divine faith: the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment: of which we shall treat another time, if God permit. read more.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have received the heavenly gifts, communicated by the holy spirit, and have known by experience the truth of the divine promises, and the miracles of the age that was to come; it is impossible, if they shall fall away, to re-instate themselves by repentance: seeing, as far in them lies, they crucify the son of God afresh, and expose him to open shame. for the earth which drinks up the frequent show'rs that fall upon it, and produces plants fit for the use of him that cultivates it, is stiled heavenly land: but that which bears thorns and briars, is look'd upon as lying under a curse; whose end will be to be burnt. But though we speak in this manner, my dear brethren, we expect better things of you, and such as are more suitable to your salvation. for God is too just to his promise not to regard your piety, and the love which you have shewn to the christian religion by the assistance ye have given to the saints, and still continue to give. but we desire that every one of you may shew the same concern, continuing to discharge the condition upon which your hopes are founded: that ye be not unactive, but imitate the example of those who by faith and patience have obtain'd the inheritance that was promis'd to them. For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity." and after he had patiently waited, he obtained what was promised. for when men swear by a superior, the ratifying what they say with an oath, puts an end to all further debate.