Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 6:12

12 That ye be not slothful , but followers of them , who through faith and patience inherit the promises .

If you will be diligent, away with sloth, you are inclined to it, ch. 5.11. and tho you be quick in Affection, yet slow in understanding the Mysteries of God; and tho you have laboured, yet not with that intense Labour to which he here presseth them, even to an utter Abolition of all the degrees of Sloth.

[non-Latin text not transcribed] strictly Imitators in diligence and Painstaking of the Believers who have performed this Duty before you.

In their Graces imitate them as in Faith by which they rested on as credited God's Promises revealed to them of things invisible, excellent, and distant, and which by noCreature-power but only God's could be attained, ch. 11.1, 9, 10, 16. and 13.7. In Patience, because the things promised are future, and at a great distance from them, waiting for them, suffering many Evils from many, passing through Fire and Water, Isa. 43.2. and staying God's leasure to obtain them, ch. 10.36. and 12.1. Rom. 15.4, 5. Iames 1.3. Those they were to imitate, were Heirs of blessed Promises, v. 14. of spiritual Blessings in Christ the blessed Seed in whom themselves and all Nations were to be blessed, Gen. 22.18. It may be queried, How did Abraham inherit the Promises, when he did not receive them, as is testified, ch. 1[illegible: 1 letter].13.? This is certain as to the Promises of spiritual saving and universal Concernment to them, as of Justification, Sanctification, Adoption and Salvation by Jesus Christ; these they received, as is evident, ch. 11.10, 14, 16. and Rom. 4.8 to 26. such Promises as were of special Consideration and reserved to a set time, as the Possession of Canaan, and Christ's Incarnation, Iohn 8.56. These they did not receive, tho they saw them sure to their Seed by Faith, but for Salvation, and Glory, and Heaven, carried in the Covenant of Grace, they did personally enjoy; of the others they were Heirs as given by God to them.