ABSTRACT
The blessed Paul calls this an allegory – which I fully accept. But, when one makes use of it throughout all the Scriptures, I do not think that there exists in the divine Scriptures a [single] historical text from which one cannot derive great profit by teaching its readers not to disregard what is written. But, on the other hand, when a prophecy is revealed there, it is fittingly seen from the sense of the verses; that is to say – if one can speak openly – that it is deduced from the historical narrative itself. So has the blessed Apostle proceeded when he says that what is accomplished by grace is better than what seemingly happens according to some precept [the text is corrupt here]. The same is true regarding his words in his Epistle to the Galatians, when he argued on the basis of what was declared there as happening to [Hagar and Sarah] as being applicable to the [two covenants]. In fact, it is clear that he has deduced that the two [are connected] from the text. For there is a link between what took place [between Hagar and Sarah] and what has
been accomplished [covenantwise]. He teaches us in this way to hold on to all these [relations] and to make use of them.
