Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 4:11

11. And he receiv'd the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also.

Or Circumcision which is a Sign. Two Things are here Affirm'd of circumcision: 1. That it was a Sign; Of what? Of the circumcision of the Heart, of original Sin and its Cure. 2. That it was a Seal; Of what? Of the Righteousness of Faith: Of the meaning of which, see the Notes on ch. 1.17. This is a Periphrasis of the Covenant of Grace, wherein Righteousness is promis'd, and made over to us in a way of Believing: And this is not the only Place where the Righteousness of Faith is put for the New-Covenant, vid. Rom. 10.6. and the Notes there. Circumcision is called a Seal, because it was a Confirmation of the Covenant of Grace, and the Righteousness therein promis'd. The common Use of a Seal amongst Men is to Confirm and Ratify a Matter, and make it more Firm and Sure: It is joyn'd often with an Earnest, which is for the same end and purpose. The Corinthians Conversion is said to be the Seal of Paul's Apostleship, i. e. It was a Confirmation of i[illegible: 1 letter] and made it more Evident that he was Sent of God. What the Apostle sayes of an Oath, that we may say of a Seal; It is for Confirmation, and for putting things out of Controversy. When God made a Promise to Abraham, He Confirm'd it with an Oath; and when He made a Covenant with him, and with his Seed, He Confirm'd it by a Seal, and that was Circumcision; which he calls in Genesis the Covenant of God, and here the Seal thereof. And what is said of circumcision, is not spoken of it barely as circumcision, but as a Sacrament; and it shews the Nature and Use of all Sacraments, both of the Old-Testament and New; that they are Seals of the New Covenant. That which the Apostle mentions here of circumcision, hath nothing Proper and Peculiar in it to circumcision as such; but it may, with equal Reason, be apply'd to any other Sacrament; It belongs as well to the Passover, yea to Baptism, and the Lords Supper, e. g. The Apostle first calls Circumcision a Sign, so was the Passover, so is Baptism, and the Lords Supper. Again, he calls it A Seal of the Righteousness of Faith, or of the New-Covenant, as before. And so is each of the other Sacraments; take for instance the Lords-Supper: Our Saviour calls the Cup therein the New-Testament or Covenant, that is, It is a Seal and Confirmation thereof. And what is here Affirm'd of Abraham, may be Affirm'd as well of the Eunuch, or the Iayhor, or any Baptiz'd Person; he receiv'd the Sign of Baptism, a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith, and of Remission of Sins, &c.

i. e. That he might be Known or Declared to be the Father of such; see the like Phrase Mat. 5.45. Though many of the Fathers did Believe before Abraham, yet none of them are said to be the Fathers of the Faithful, as Abraham was, because God made to none of them the like Promise, concerning their Posterity, as he did to Abraham. See the next Verse.

Marginal references: Gen. 17.10.