Matthew Poole and continuators on Galatians 4:24

24 Which things are an allegory ; For these are the two covenants , the one from the mount Sinai, which gendreth to bondage , which is Agar.

That is called an Allegory when one thing is learned out of another, or something is mystically signified and to be understood further then is expressed. The Scripture hath a peculiar kind of Allegories, wherein one thing is signified by and under another thing. The thing here signifying, was Abrahams Wife and Concubine, Sarah and Hagar.

The Apostle, saith, these signifyed the two Covenants; for thats the meaning of, are.) So as here we have one Text more, where the verb substantive is put for, signifieth: and it will be hard to assign a reason why it should not be so interpreted in the institution of the Lords Supper; (notwithstanding the Papists and Lutherans so earnest contending to the contrary.) The very word is here used, [non-Latin text not transcribed], that is used in the institution of the Lords Supper. Here it is these are the two Covenants or Testaments; there, this is the New Covenant. The Apostle calls them two Covenants, whereas they were but one, with reference to the time of their exhibition, and manner of their Administration, in which they much differed. Nor must we understand the Apostle as signifying to us by these words, that Moses wrote the History of Sarah and Hagar, with such a design and intention; but only that that History is very applicable to the two Covenants, and we shall find verse 27. the Apostle justifying this application from the authority of the Prophet Isaiah. And herein he complied with the general sense of the Jews; who judged that there was not onely a litteral▪ but a mystical sense also of those Histories of the Patriarchs.

The one Covenant was that of the Law delivered from mount Sinai, this was like Hagar, for as Hagar was her self a Bond woman, and so her child did partake of the condition of the Mother, and Hagar bare a Bond Man or Servant; so the Law (which he calls a Covenant, because of the stipulation of obedience from the people to the Will of God revealed, and declared,) lest those that were under it in a state of bondage or servitude.

Marginal references: Or, Testaments.; Gr. Sina.