William Perkins on Galatians 3:29

v. 29. And if ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed and heires by promise.

Before, Paul had taught v. 7. 8. 9. that all beleeuing gentiles were the children of Abraham, and not the Iewes only. Here he returnes to the same point againe and prooues it by a new Argument, thus. Christ is the seed of Abraham v. 16. and all gentiles beleeuing in Christ, are parts of him and one with him: therefore they also are children of Abraham and heires of all the blessings of God.

The intent of Paul in these words, is to establish and confirme an argument which before he had vrged in this chapter against patrons of workes in the case of our iustification: it may be framed thus. As Abraham was iustified, so are all they that beleeue in Christ, instified: for they are Abr[illegible: 2 letters]ams children and succeed him v. 29. but Abraham was iustified by faith without workes; therefore all beleeuers in Christ are so iustified. Let the Argument be obserued: for it makes against the Papist, who, if he studie till his head and heartake, shall neuer answer it.

In this verse, Paul sets down the fruit and banefit, that comes by the gift of adoption, to them that beleeue. And that is, to be children of Abraham, and heires of all the blessings of God. And therefore learne here one golden lesson; namely, that the basest person that is, if he beleeue in Christ, is in the place of Abraham, and succeeds him in the inheritance of the kingdom of heauen. Some man may say; O this is excellent comfort, if I might know that I were in the case of Abraham. Answ. Thou maist know it certenly, if thou wilt doe as Abraham did; namely, follow the calling of God, and obey the Gospel; that is, subiect thy heart to the commandements of God, which bidde thee repent, and beleeue in Christ: for then all the good things reuealed in the Gospel, shall be thine.

The vse. Beleeuers in this world must be content with any estate that God shall lay vpon them. For they are heires with Abraham of heàuen and earth. In this regard, Abraham was content, to forsake his countrie, and his fathers house, and as a pilgrime to dwell in tents to the death, Heb. 11. 8, 9.

Secondly, they that beleeue in Christ, must moderate their worldly cares, and not liue as drudges of the world. For they are heires of God, and haue a title or right to all good things promised in the couenant. Therefore they shall neuer want any good thing that is needfull for them. He that hath made them heires, will carefully prouide for them. Therefore our care must be, to doe the duties that belong vnto vs: and all other cares we must cast vpon God. They in this world, that are borne to land and liuing, are content to liue sparingly, and oftentimes very barely with a little, vpon hope of further inlargement, after the decease of some friends.

Lastly, our speciall care must be for heauen. For the things of this world are but trifles in respect. The citie of God in heauen is thy portion, or childs part. Seeke for the assurance of that aboue all things. Thus did Abraham, Heb. 11. 15, 16.