§. 133. Of Heires of Promise.
THe persons, to whom God hath so shewed his super-abundant goodnesse, are here stiled the Heires of Promise.
They are accounted Heires, who have such and such a thing by right of inheri∣tance.
Of the word inherit, and of sundry instructions thence raised. See Chap. 1. v. 14 §. 160.
Promise is here metonymically taken for the reward promised, as was shewed, v. 12. §. 87.
Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, are stiled Heires of Promise, in reference to the Land* 1.1 of Canaan promised, as a Type of the Celestiall Canaan, Heb. 11. 9. Here in speciall are meant the children of Abraham after the Spirit. For the promise that Abraham 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be the Heire of the world, was not made to Abraham, or to his seed through the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but through the righteousnesse of •…•…aith, Rom. 4. 13. Hereupon it is said to be∣lievers, Ye are Abrahams seed, and heires according to the promise, Gal. 3. 29. All that are justified are stiled Heires, Titus 3. 7. And all that are led by the Spirit, Rom. 8. 14, 17.
This dignity they have, because they are united to Christ, in which respect they are stiled, joynt heires with Christ, Rom. 8. 17. By vertue of that union, they are adopted of God to be his children, (Gal. 4. 5.) and also regenerat, 1 Pet. 1. 3.
This phrase, Heires of Promise, implieth an extent and a restraint.
An extent in relation to Abraham: to shew that Gods Oath rested not only in* 1.2 him, but extended it self to all his seed, according to that which the Lord saith, I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their genera∣tions, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, Gen. 17. 7.
It implieth also a restraint, in opposition to such as are incredulous and rebelli∣ous. They are not accounted heires of promise, though after the flesh they descend from Abraham.
Hence may be inferred two generall propositions.
- 1. The promise of blessing made to Abraham, belongeth to all believers.
- 2. None but believers have a right to the promise made to Abraham.
Concerning the first, God in reference thereunto thus saith, In thy seed shall all* 1.3 the Nations of the earth be blessed, Gen. 22. 18. Hereupon saith Peter, The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are a farre off, even as many as the Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God shall call, Act. 2. 39. And Paul saith of Gods imputing righteousnesse unto Abraham, It was not written for his suke alone, that it was imputed to him, but for us al∣so, &c. Rom. 4 23, 24.
There are two especiall grounds hereof.
One is the constant and unchangeable mind of him that makes the promise, he is alwayes like himself, and sheweth like favour to them, who are of like faith, of like disposition, and like conversation.
The other ground is the fountain and foundation of all Gods promises, Jesus Christ, our head and our redeemer. He properly is the true heire of all Gods promi∣ses. All the promises of God in him, are yea, and in him, Amen. (2 Cor. 1. 20.) that 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ they are all propounded, ratified and accomplished in him: By reason hereof all that believe in him are coheires with him.
- 1. Learn hereby how to take the promises of Gods word, even as made to us; to stir us up to relie on God who made them: and to subject our selves unto his word. The like power and benefit of Gods promises resteth in this particular application of them. Admirable is the use of faith in this case. It will settle the soul of a be∣liever on Gods promises, made in former times, as stedfastly as if in particular they had been directed to him by name.
- 2. This meets with an objection against the certainty of a particular mans faith.