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and Sarah shall have a Son, Rom. ix. 7-9.

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And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? and she went to enquire of the LORD, Gen. xxv. 22. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob, 28. And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed, xxvii. 4.33. And not only this; but when Rebekah also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth ;) It was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, Rom. ix. 10-16.

d Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth, Psal. cx. 3. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all

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Israel which are of Israel, Rom. ix. 1-6. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, x. 1-3. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase, 1 Cor. iii. 6. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure, Phil. ii. 13. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures, Jam. i. 18.

e That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit, John iii.6-8. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Tit. iii. 5. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him, 1 John ii. 29. See also on clause 1.

VER. 14.

Καὶ ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο· καὶ ἐσκήνω αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρὸς), σεν ἐν ἡμῖν (καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας.

a And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

a In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, ver. 1. Therefore the LORD himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, Isa. vii. 14. And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ, Matt. i. 16. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord ap

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peared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us, 20-23. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I knew not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God, Luke i. 31-35. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord, ii. 11. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Rom. i. 3, 4. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen, ix. 5. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven, 1 Cor. xv. 47. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal. iv. 4. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto

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death, even the death of the cross, Fhil. ii. 6-8. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory, 1 Tim. iii. 16. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people, Heb. ii. 14— 17. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me, x. 5. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning, 1 John ii. 7. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world, iv. 2, 3. See also on Matt. xvi. ver. 13. clause 4.

b This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and mani. fested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him, John ii. 11. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? xi. 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; that they should not see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him, xii. 40, 41. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so

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JOHN I. 14.

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not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1 Pet. ii. 4-7. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased, 2 Pet. i. 17.

gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, iii. 16. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God, 18. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him, 1 John iv. 9. Šee also on Matt. xiv. ver. 33. clause 3.

long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath -seen me hath seen the Father: and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? xiv. 9. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it, Isa. xl. 5. For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, No man hath seen God at any there is no beauty that we should de- time; the only-begotten Son, which sire him, liii. 2. Arise, shine; for is in the bosom of the Father, he hath thy light is come, and the glory of the declared him, ver. 18. For God so lovLORD is risen upon thee. For, be-ed the world, that he gave his only-behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee, lx. 1, 2. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While ye yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased, hear ye him, Matt. xvii. 1-5. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them, 2 Cor. iv. 4-6. Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priests of our profession, Christ Jesus, Heb. iii. 1. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall

d And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, ver. 16, 17. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me, 2 Cor. xii. 9. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph. iii. 8. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God, 18, 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell, Col. i. 19. And the grace. of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy.

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that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God : for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him, John iii. 26-36. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me, v. 33-36. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, Matt.

a The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light, ver. 7, 8. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not but he that sent me to bap-iii. 11. And preached, saying, There tize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God, 29-34. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye your selves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he

cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose, Marki. 7. John answered saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, Luke iii. 16.

b In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God, ver. 1, 2. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water, 31. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am, viii. 58. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was, xvii. 5. The LORD possessed me in

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the beginning of his way, before his works of old, Prov. viii. 22. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, Isa. ix. 6. But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting, Mic. v. 2. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, Phil. ii. 6, 7. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist, Col. i. 17. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever, Heb. xiii. 8. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the firstand the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea, Rev. i. 11. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death, 17, 18. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and last, which was dead, and is alive, ii. 8.

VER. 16.

Καὶ ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς πάντες ἐλάβομεν, καὶ χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος· And a of his fulness have all we received, band grace for grace.

a I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of it

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self, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing, John xv. 1-5. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, Matt. iii. 11. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 14. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, Luke xxi. 15. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him bath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all, Acts iii. 12-16. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom. viii. 9. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge, 1 Cor. i. 4, 5. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascendeth, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that

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