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25. So then, as we are not to
deny that this is the gift of God, we are thus to understand that
there be some gifts of God possessed by the sons of that Jerusalem
which is above,2700
and free,
and mother of us all, (for these are in some sort the hereditary
possessions in which we are “heirs of God and joint-heirs with
Christ:”) but some other which may be received even by the sons
of concubines to whom carnal Jews and schismatics or heretics are
compared. For though it be written, “Cast out the bondmaid and
her son, for the son of the bondmaid shall not be heir with my son
Isaac:”2701
and though
God said to Abraham, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called:” which
the Apostle hath so interpreted as to say, “That is, not they
which be sons of the flesh, these be the sons of God; but the sons
of the promise are counted for the seed;”2702
that we might understand the seed
of Abraham in regard of Christ to pertain by reason of Christ to
the sons of God, who are Christ’s body and members, that is to
say, the Church of God, one, true, very-begotten, catholic, holding
the godly faith; not the faith which works through elation or fear,
but “which worketh by love;”2703
nevertheless, even the sons of the
concubines, when Abraham sent them away from his son Isaac, he did
not omit to bestow upon them some gifts, that they might not be
left in every way empty, but not that they should be held as heirs.
For so we read: “And Abraham gave all his estate unto Isaac; and
to the sons of his concubines gave Abraham gifts, and sent them
away from his son Isaac.”2704
If then we be sons of Jerusalem
the free, let us understand that other be the gifts of them which
are put out of the inheritance, other the gifts of them which be
heirs. For these be the heirs, to whom is said, “Ye have not
received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received
the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”2705
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