+I. The character.+--1. Believers are the children of promise by
regeneration. 2. By spiritual nourishment. 3. In respect of
education. 4. With respect to assimilation, likeness, and conformity.
+II. State the comparison.+--1. Isaac was the child of Abraham, not
by natural power. Believers are children of Abraham by virtue of
promise. 2. Isaac was the fruit of prayer, as well as the child of
the promise. 3. Isaac's birth was the joy of his parents. Even so
with reference to believers. 4. Isaac was born not after the flesh,
but by the promise; not of the bondwoman, but of the free. So,
believers are not under the law. 5. Isaac was no sooner born but he
was mocked by Ishmael; so, it is now. 6. Isaac was the heir by
promise, though thus persecuted. Even so believers.
+III. How the promise hath such virtue for begetting children to
God.+--1. As it is the discovery of Divine love. 2. The object of
faith. 3. The ground of hope. 4. The seed of regeneration. 5. The
communication of grace. 6. The chariot of the Spirit.
+Inferences.+--1. _If believers are children of promise, then
boasting is excluded._ 2. _Then salvation is free._ 3. _The happiness
and dignity of believers--they are the children of God.--Pulpit
Assistant._