Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 4:19

19. And being not weak in Faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb.

He regarded not the Impotency of his own Body, which was, as it were dead, because of his Age, in respect of any desires or powers of Generation. Abraham several years after Marryed Keturah, by whom he had divers Children, How then doth the Apostle say his body was now dead, or unable for Generation? Some say that the deadness of Abrahams body was only in his own Opinion. Augustine hath two Answers. 1. That his body was not dead simply, but in respect of Sarah, he might be able to beget Children[illegible: 1 letter] of a younger Woman. 2. His body was revived, and he receiv'd a new Generative Faculty of God. Another question may be mov'd, and that is, how the Apostle could say that Abraham considered not his own body, being dead? seeing we read, Gen. 17.17. that Abraham upon the promise of a Son, fell upon his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a Child be born unto him that is an Hundred years Old? &c. Some answer that Abraham at first doubted, but afterwards he recollected himself, and got over that unbelief, his Faith overcame all difficulties: others say, that he doubted not at all of the truth of Gods Promise, but was uncertain only how it should be understood, whither properly or figuratively, vid. Gen. 17.19. Others say, that these words of Abraham are not words of doubting, but enquiring; they proceed from a desire to be farther instructed, how that thing should be. It was a Question like that of the Virgin Mary's. How shall these things be? Augustine sayes, That Abrahams laughter was not like Sarahs. Hers proceeded from Distrust, His from Joy and Admiration.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 11. [illegible: 1 word] 11,