Anf-01 ix.vii.xxxiv Pg 8
Gen. xxvii. 27, etc.
But “the field is the world.”4737 4737
Anf-01 ix.vii.xxxiv Pg 10
Gen. xxvii. 28, 29.
If any one, then, does not accept these things as referring to the appointed kingdom, he must fall into much contradiction and contrariety, as is the case with the Jews, who are involved in absolute perplexity. For not only did not the nations in this life serve this Jacob; but even after he had received the blessing, he himself going forth [from his home], served his uncle Laban the Syrian for twenty years;4739 4739
Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xxiv Pg 30
Gen. xxvii. 39.
For the dispensation of the Jews (who were in Esau, the prior of the sons in birth, but the later in affection3463 3463 Judæorum enim dispositio in Esau priorum natu et posteriorum affectu filiorum. This is the original of a difficult passage, in which Tertullian, who has taken Jacob as a type of the later, the Christian church, seems to make Esau the symbol of the former, the Jewish church, which, although prior in time, was later in allegiance to the full truth of God.
) at first was imbued with earthly blessings through the law, and afterwards brought round to heavenly ones through the gospel by faith. When Jacob sees in his dream the steps of a ladder set upon the earth, and reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending thereon, and the Lord standing above, we shall without hesitation venture to suppose,3464 3464 Temere, si forte, interpretabimur.
that by this ladder the Lord has in judgment appointed that the way to heaven is shown to men, whereby some may attain to it, and others fall therefrom. For why, as soon as he awoke out of his sleep, and shook through a dread of the spot, does he fall to an interpretation of his dream? He exclaims, “How terrible is this place!” And then adds, “This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!”3465 3465
Anf-01 ii.ii.xxxii Pg 5
Gen. xxii. 17, Gen. xxviii. 4.
All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 49
VERSE (26) - Ge 27:27-29,39,40; 28:3,4 Eph 1:3
