Gadfly Paraphrase: the Institutes

It is not a small comment on the way the gospel is revealed that God has preferred us to the ancient holy fathers, who were distinguished for piety. There is nothing in this view inconsistent with another passage, in which our Savior says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad," (John 8:56). For though the event was very remote, and Abraham's view of it was obscure, he had full assurance that it would one day be accomplished; and hence the joy which the holy patriarch experienced even to his death.