so he did foresee that Isaac should pray for it, and obtayne it; and the one was as sure to come to passe as the other. And the same consequence is true concerning eternal life as S. Gregorie teacheth. li. 1. c. 8. Dialog.
The couenant made to Abraham pertained only to Isaac and Iacob, not to the rest of his issue.23. The elder shal serue the yonger.) As before (c. 17. v. 21. and c. 21. v. 12.) the couenant and great promises made to Abrahams seed, are declared to pertaine only to Isaac, and not to Ismael, nor to the other brothers; so the same belong not to Esau the elder, but only to Iacob the yonger sonne of Isaac, the Holie Ghost saying, The elder shal serue the yonger. And withal signifieth (saith S. Augustin) that the elder people of the Iewes shal serue the yonger Christian people. li. 16. c. 35. ciuit.
2 Reg. 8.
Psal. 59.For although it may be vnderstood literally to be fulfilled, in that the Idumeans comming of Esau were subdued by King Dauid comming of Iacob; yet it is more conueniently belieued, that this prophecie tended to a greater thing. And what is this, but that which is euidently fulfilled in the Iewes and Christians?
Gods mere mercie in electing anie, his iustice to the reprobate.An other great document of grace S. Paul gathereth vpon this Mysterie: Rom. 9.that the twinnes being not yet borne, nor hauing done any thing good or euil, without anie good merits, the younger is elected, the elder reprobate. For doubtles (saith S. Augustin) touching original sinne they were both equal, and concerning proper sinne, neither of them had anie at al. By which example he sheweth Gods mere mercie in the elect, and iustice in the reprobate. as is more largely noted in the English New Testament, vpon the ninth chapter to the Romanes.
Iacob lawfully bought, but Esau sinned in selling the first-birth-right.31. Sel me thy first birth right.) Iacob instructed by his mother, that God had chosen him in place of his brother Esau (for to her God had reuealed that the elder should serue the yonger) did lawfully vse this oportunitie to get Esaus grant of the right pertaining to the first-borne, but Esau in selling it sinned, shewing himselfe an intemperate prophane man Heb. 12.
CHAP. XXVI.
AND when a famine was risen in the land, after that sterilitie that had chanced in the dayes of Abraham, Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Palestines into Gerara. 2And our Lord appeared to him, and said: [1] Goe not downe into Egypt, but rest in the land which I shal tel thee. 3And seiourne in it, and I wil be with thee, and wil blesse thee: for to thee and to thy seed I wil giue al these countries, accomplishing the oath which I sware to Abraham thy father. 4And I wil multiplie thy seed as the starres of heauen: and I wil giue to thy posteritie al these countries: and in thy seed SHAL BE BLESSED
- ↑ God by Abrahams examplar life inuited the Ægyptians to true religion: now commandeth Isaac to stay in Gerara to the like end. S. Theod. q. 76. in. Gen.
