So the point is clear,
every faithful man may, yea doth, and must imitate the actions of
faithful Abraham. It is Christ's own plea, and He presseth it as an
undeniable truth upon the hearts of the Scribes and Pharisees, that
bragged very highly of their privileges and prerogatives, and said,
"Abraham is our father." "No (saith Christ), if ye were Abraham's
children ye would do the works of Abraham." To be like Abraham in
constitution, to be one of his blood, is not that which makes a man a
son of Abraham, but to be like him in holiness of affection, to have
a heart framed and a life disposed answerably to his. The apostle in
like manner presseth this point when he would provoke the Hebrews,
to whom he wrote, to follow the examples of the saints: "Whose faith
(says he) follow, considering the end of their conversation." So the
apostle Peter presseth the example of Sarah upon all good women:
"Whose daughter ye are (saith he) as long: as ye do well."
For the opening of the point, and that ye may more clearly understand
it, a question here would be resolved, what were "the footsteps of
the faith of Abraham"? which way went he? This is a question, I say,
worthy the scanning, and therefore (leaving the further confirmation
of the point, as already evident enough) I will come to it that you
may know what to settle your hearts upon.
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