Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 1:10

10 ¶ Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measur'd nor numbred ; and it shall come to pass , that in the place where it was said unto them , Ye are not my people , there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God .

Not Israel after the flesh, not those very Persons, Families that are carried Captive (though for ought I know, or any can tell to the contrary, these may be so increased for Abrahams sake) but the Israel of God according to the Faith, the spiritual seed of Abraham, consisting both of Iews and Gentiles.

Innumerable, expressed by an elegant Proverbial Speech, alluding to the immenseness of the sands, Isa. 10.22, 23. and Rom. 9.27.

The time is fixed, and the thing shall certainly be, God will bring it about in his time.

As we read it, 'tis plain, that in those places or Countries, where a people dwelt who knew not God, were not his people: There should be a people that should both be called, and [illegible: 1 letter]e his people; the Heathen should be called into the Church, and in every place God should have his people. Or else thus, instead of being called the people of God, you shall be called the Children; so blessed a change, that who were once far off, and not a people, shall now be more then people, they shall be children.

The Gentiles and Iews unconverted.

In the state of unconverted ones, are far from God, without his Covenant, and no people.

Known, declared, men shall confess it, God will own it himself, and make it known to others.

Grace shall be enlarged, your relation nearer and sweeter, you shall be sons, not servants; have Communion with God as with your Father; and this shall be the common, or equal priviledge of this whole Israel of God: This is fulfilled in the Kingdom of the Messiah under the Gospel, as the Apostle argueth it R[illegible: 2 letters]. 9.25, 26.

Who is the fountain of life to all his children, and who giveth them lively affections to serve him, to offer living Sacrifices to the living God. So are we called, Rom. 12.1, 2[illegible: 1 letter] and 1 Thes. 1.9.

Marginal references: This may anticipate the carnal Israels objection, that thus God would fail of his word to Abraham, or he would lose his People, nothing so, yet, though ten Tribes be for ever Captivated, God will have his Israel.; Gen. 32.12. 1 Pet. 2.10.; Or, instead of that.