An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 14 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
HEE proceeds to confirm his former exhortation to perseverance in the Faith, with divers Arguments drawn from the properties and effects of Faith, Illustrated from the manifold experience of the Saints: The Arguments of his Exhortation are twenty four, All which prove that Faith is to bee promoted, or that wee ought to persevere in the Faith, or live by it in the midst of afflictions.
Vers. 1. Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Argum. 1. Faith embracing the promise concerning things hoped for, makes the things as it were present, and gives them a kind of subsistence, so far as it applies to us, the truth and power of God promising (in whose power the things promised are contained) and makes us as certain of the event, as if the things promised were actually performed: Therefore wee ought to live by Faith, and persevere in it.
And the] Argum. 2. Faith laying hold upon the Word of God, is a convincing demonstration of the truth of things past, present▪ and to come, which are not seen, or appear, and are justly esteemed by us most certain, because of the undoubted truth of the word of God: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 2. For by it the Elders obtained a good report.
Argum. 3. By Faith Beleevers are commended, justified, and proclaimed blessed by the Testimony of God, as it appears by ancient examples in the Scripture: Therefore wee ought to live by Faith, and persevere in it, in the midst of afflictions.
Vers. 3. Through Faith wee understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Argum. 4. Faith satisfies it self in the word of Almighty God, concerning making the world out of nothing, or concerning the Creation of all things which wee see, out of no apparent or pre-existent matter: Therefore wee must live by Faith, and persevere in it, although wee see nothing of those things which are promised to us in the word of God: seeing God can effect our salvation promised to us out of things which appear not, no less by his word, than hee could create the world out of nothing.
Vers. 4. By Faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Kain, by which hee obtained witness, that hee was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it hee being dead, yet speaketh.
The properties of Faith follow, which are illustrated by the special experience of the Saints, which hee disposes into four classes; as it were for orders sake: The first is of those which lived before the flood, to vers. 8. The second is of those which lived from the flood, till Israel went down into Egypt, to vers. 23. The third is of those that lived at their comming out of Egypt, to vers. 32. The fourth is of those that lived after, to the end.
The first in the first rank or classis is Abel, who is said by Faith to offer a more excellent Sacrifice than Cain, not onelyonly …hat Faith caused that hee should make choice of the best Sacrifice, which by the command of God, it was lawful for him to offer, but especially because by Faith in the thing signified, i. e. the MESSIAH, the immaculate Lamb of God promised, (who was to take away the sins of the world) hee fastened his eyes, and worshiped God in Spirit, whereas Cain stuck in the naked superficial Ceremony onelyonly; And so Abel is declared justified by Faith, God giving testimony of the excellency of his Sacrifice which hee offered: By which Faith, although dead, yet hee speaks, teaching by his example all in the Church, to beleeve in Christ, and to seal their Faith with the Martyrdome of blood, if it be the will of God.
Hence Argum. 5. The faithful are declared just by Faith, their offerings are accepted, their worship is approved of God, and posterity is edified by the example of Beleevers, as is manifest by the example of Abel: Therefore ought wee to persevere in the Faith.
Vers. 5. By Faith Enoch was translated that hee should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation hee had this testimony, that hee pleased God.
6. But without Faith it is impossible to please him: for hee that cometh to God must believe that hee is, and that hee is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Enoch follows in the second place, who is said by Faith to bee translated into life immortal, death, or the separation of his Soul from his body, not intervening, only a change made from mortal to immortal qualifications. He proves that this Translation was a fruit of Faith, because Enoch pleased God, or was approved, before the translation of him; and without faith it is impossible to please God, the reason whereof is given, because no man comes unto God, or is admitted into fellowship with him, unless hee subscribe to the All-sufficiency and goodness of God, by Faith, so as to apply that goodness of God to himself, which is offered him, and come unto God, desirous of communion with him; for it is Faith alone that divests a man of all his own worth, and joyns him to God that is merciful, and full of compassion. Hence Argum. 6. By Faith wee obtain Eternal Life, as God hath testified to us in the translation of Enoch, who had hee not been indued with faith, had not pleased God, nor come unto him, nor had been admitted into heaven: Therefore ought wee to persevere in the Faith.
Vers. 7. By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an Ark to the saving of his house, by the which hee condemned the world, and became Heir of the Righteousness, which is by Faith.
Noah is the third, who warned of God concerning the coming of a Flood many years after, believed, and feared, and by the Command of God prepared an Ark, to the saving of his Family, whereby hee convinced the rest of the world then living with himself, of unbelief, and is declared the Heir of that Righteousness which is by Faith in Christ, who was represented by the Ark: Hence Argum. 7. By Faith wee are to take heed of the anger of God, and diligently use the appointed means to Salvation, by which diligence wee convince the world of unbelief, and slothfulness, and testifie the truth of our Faith, whereby wee believe in Christ, and obtain the inheritance of Righteousness in him, as is manifest in the experience of Noah: Therefore wee ought to persevere in the Faith.
Vers. 8. By Faith Abraham, when hee was called to go out into a place, which hee should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and hee went out, not knowing whither hee went.
9. By Faieh hee sojourned in the Land of Promise, as in a strange Country, dwelling in Tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the Heirs with him of the same Promise.
10. For hee looked for a City which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.
The second Rank or Classis of Believers, which lived to the time of Israels going down into Egypt, whereof the first in order is Abraham, who by Faith left his Country, and followed God into a strange Land, leaning upon the Promise of God for an inheritance to bee given him, uncertain in the mean time where hee should sojourn, ver. 8. By Faith also hee sojourned in the promised Land, dwelling in Tabernacles, as some Pilgrim and Stranger, as Isaac and Iacob his Posterity did, to whom the same promise of an Inheritance was made, ver. 9. For hee did not so much look at that typical Land of Canaan, as Heaven, represented by that Land of Promise, which is like a fenced and strongly founded City, whose Builder is God, and not man. Hence Argum. 8. By Faith wee being called of God, leave all earthly things, and content with our condition, (being according to the Will of God) whatever it is, wee sojourn in this world, under hope of a most abiding Inheritance, to bee possessed by us in heaven, as appears in the example of Abraham: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 11. Through Faith also Sarah her self received strength to conceive Seed, and was delivered of a Child, when shee was past age, because shee judged him faithful, who had promised.
12. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the Sky in multitude, and as the Sand which is by the Sea shore, innumerable.
Before hee passes from what hee had to say of Abraham, hee mentions the Faith of his Wife Sarah, whose Faith concurred with Abrahams, to apprehend the promise of the numerous Off-spring which should issue from him: Sarah by Faith leaning upon the truth of the Promise of God that is faithful and Almighty, though shee was barren and aged, and above the powers of nature, shee is made fit to conceive Seed, and to bring forth Isaac, from Abraham already, in respect to children, as it were dead; and so the Promise of God concerning his innumerable Off-spring took effect. Hence Argum. 9. By Faith wee are fitted for the performance of those things, which far exceed humane strength, and to receive the accomplishment of Promises, incredible to carnal reason; as is apparent by the experience of Sarah: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 13. These all died in Faith, not having received the Promises, but having seen them afar off, and were perswaded of them, and imbraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Argum. 10. All these last recited, viz. Abraham with Sarah his Wife, and Isaac and Iacob, persevered in the Faith, even till death, neither did they enjoy the good things in this life, which God promised, only by Faith they saw the certainty of the things promised, and perswaded of them, saluted the good promises afar off, and stretching out, as it were, the Arms of Faith, imbraced them, thinking it enough that they should enjoy them after this life, professing themselves in the mean time, while they lived, that they were pilgrims and strangers in the earth: Therefore ought you to persevere in the Faith, and to live by Faith.
Vers. 14. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a Country.
15. And truly if they had been mindful of that Country, from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned:
16. But now they desire a better Country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to bee called their God; for hee hath prepared for them a City.
Hee proves that while they lived upon earth, they did not obtain the promises, by two Reasons.
Reason 1. Because professing themselves strangers in the earth, they plainly shewed that they sought a Country, ver. 14. but not an earthly country, because they had opportunity of returning to it, if they had sought it, ver. 15. Therefore they sought an heavenly Country promised of God.
Wherefore] Reas. 2. God is not ashamed to bee called their God, whence hee gives us to understand, that hee had a City prepared for them, i. e. Heaven, and determined to raise them from the dead, that both in body and soul they might possess that desired Country, for as their God hee had prepared that City for them, so hee would bee called by them, Their God, that all may understand, that these Saints were not to bee separated from the society of God, which they sought.
Vers. 17. By Faith Abraham when hee was tried, offered up Isaac; and hee that …ad received the Promises, offered up his only begotten Son,
18. Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed bee called.
19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead: from whence also hee received him in a figure.
The Arguments have been handled which were drawn from the common effect of the Faith of the Patriarchs: The Arguments follow, which are drawn from the proper effects of the Faith of each of them; First hee commends the Faith of Abraham, that when God tryed him, whether hee would beleeve the Promises, and also whether hee would in all things obey, hee forthwith offered up Isaac for a burnt-offering; though his onelyonly Son, although Abraham had immediate promises of multiplying his seed in this very Isaac, vers. 17. Although it was expresly said to him, of this very Son, that the blessed seed, (in whom all Nations were to be blessed) should come of him, vers. 18. For by Faith Abraham reasoned, that God, who had brought forth Isaac from Parents past children, was able to raise him also out of the Ashes. And thus hee received Isaac snatched from the jaws of death, in a similitude, as it were raised from the dead, vers. 19.
Hence Argum. 11. By Faith all impediments are conquered in temptations, which may any waies hinder the performance of our obedience unto God, and that with most happy success, as is manifest by the experience of Abraham: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 20. By Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21. By Faith Jacob when hee was a dying, blessed both the Sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
The example of Iacob follows, who when hee was a dying, by Faith comforted himself and his Sons, concerning the blessings, which, according to the Promise of God, should come upon his Nephews and their posterity, and that with so much perswasion, that for joy hee worshiped God, leaning upon his staffe by reason of the weakness of his body.
Hence Argum. 13. That by Faith they that are a dying may take comfort, and not onelyonly comfort themselves, but also others concerning the blessings promised, as may be seen in the example of dying Iacob: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 22. By Faith Joseph when hee dyed, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel: and gave commandement concerning his bones.
Ioseph is named the last of the Patriarchs, whom neither his power, nor the abundance of good things which hee enjoyed in Egypt, could make unmindful or negligent of the Promises of God, but being perswaded of the children of Israels going out of Egypt, and of the bringing them into the Land promised to the Fathers (although many years after) hee commanded that his bones should be carried out also, in testimony of his preferring the thing signified by the promised Land, before all earthly things: From whence,
Argum. 14. Faith overcomes length of time, before the accomplishment of the Promise, comming between, together with the commodities of this life, the corruption of death and the grave, and looks for a resurrection with the Saints, as wee see in the example of Ioseph dying: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 23. By Faith Moses when hee was born, was hid three months of his Parents, because they saw hee was a proper child, and they not afraid of the Kings commandement.
The third rank or classis of examples follows, from the times near the children of Israels departing out of Egypt, to the times of the Iudges; The first Example is of the Parents of Moses, who gathering from the beauty of the child Moses, that God had designed him for some eminent imployment, by Faith hid him three months, all that time, not fearing the Kings command, they preserved him alive, whom the King (hee being a male-child) commanded to be cast into the river.
Whence Argum. 15. By Faith fear is overcome, which Tyrants by their unjust commands bring upon the faithful, as is manifest in the example of Moses Parents: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 24. By Faith Moses when hee was come to years, refused to bee called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter,
25. Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season:
26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for hee had respect unto the recompence of reward.
The second Example is of Moses, the many acts of whose Faith are reckoned up, which carry the force of many Examples and Arguments. The first act of Faith in Moses is, that being come to years, and the use of Reason and discretion, by Faith hee refused the royal relation, and had rather be called an Hebrew, than Pharaohs Nephew: which hee did not onelyonly in word, but really, when leaving the Kings Palace, hee went forth to visit his Hebrew Brethren in affliction, nor returned hee again to the delights of the Court, vers. 24. The Apostle commends this act upon a threefold account.
First, That hee chose rather all afflictions in banishment, and to endure hard bondage, that hee might by any means be assistant to the people of God, rather than be wanting to his duty, and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, with the neglect of his duty, vers. 25.
Secondly, That hee accounted it greater riches to bee despised with the people of God, for their Faith in Christ that was to come, and so to bear his Cross, or the reproaches of Christ (upon whom those injuries which are done to his members fall as upon the head) than to be… possessed of the treasures of Egypt in Pharaohs Court.
Thirdly, That hee supported himself with the hope of delivering the people of God, and expectation of the free reward, which God hath promised to give unto his servants: whence it appears that what hee hath spoken of Moses, was the effect of his Faith, vers. 26.
Hence Argum. 16. By Faith, Honour, and Riches, and other worldly allurements, wherewith unwary men are catched to their perdition, become vile, and afflictions borne for the name of Christ, and communion with the Saints, and Christ himself, and an expectation of the reward promised to the afflicted servants of God, is glorious, as it clearly appears in the example of Moses: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 27. By Faith hee forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King, for hee endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
The second act of Moses Faith is, that trusting in the Promise of God, hee fore-shewed to Pharaoh, that against his will, hee should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, and deliver them from that bondage, both himself and all the people, to whom in their departing hee was Leader and Captain: This act is commended upon a twofold account. First, That hee feared not the wrath of the King, who might (had not God with-held him) having gathered together, and armed his forces, either have slain, or reduced a fearful and unwarlike people (upon their departure) into more grievous bondage. Secondly, That by Faith hee saw the power and faithfulness of the invisible God, and with this supported himself in all his straights, whence hee proves this act to be an effect of Faith.
Hence Argum. 17. By Faith wee beleeve the promised liberty of the children of God from the Kingdome of darkness, and wee conquer all fear, which the wrath, and armed force of tyrants can bring upon those who press after the heavenly inheritance, having our eyes alwaies fastened upon the promised assistance of the invisible God, as appears in the example of Moses: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 28. Through Faith hee kept the Passeover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest hee that destroyed the first-born, should touch them.
The third act of Moses Faith is, that being certainly perswaded of the Promise of God, he celebrated the Passeover Feast in Egypt, and with the blood of the Paschal Lamb, took care that the doors of all the Israelites should be sprinkled: Promising in the name of God that they should be all delivered from the destroying Angel, (which was that night to slay all the first-born of the Egyptians) whose houses soever were marked with the blood of the Paschal Lamb.
Hence Argum. 18. By Faith, wee solemnize the Sacraments in the Church▪ and the publick worship of God; in witness of our hope of deliverance from destruction, wherein the unbeleeving world shall bee involved, as appears in the example of Moses: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 29. By Faith they passed through the Red-Sea, as by dry land, which the Aegyptians assaying to do, were drowned.
The third example is of the believing Israelites, together with Moses their Captain, who by Faith, as they durst enter into the open jaws of the waters divided, and take a long journey through the shadow of death, so they passed safe over the Red Sea, as upon dry ground: But the Aegyptians without the Promise of God, assaying to follow them, were drowned. Hence Argum. 19. By Faith wee undertake matters impossible to humane reason, and pass through dangers, in which unbelievers perish, as appears in the peoples passage through the Red Sea: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 30. By Faith the walls of Jerico fell down, after they were compassed about seven daies.
The fourth example is of Ioshua, and the believing Israelites, who by Faith expecting the fall of the walls of Ierico, compassed them seven dayes with the Ark of the Covenant, and Rams horns, nor were they frustrated in their hope. Hence Argum. 20. By Faith, Believers by their prayers, without all humane help, cast down the fenced Cities and Towers of their enemies, and overcome them; as was proved in the example of the Israelites, entering into the promised Land: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 31. By Faith the Harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when shee had received the Spies with peace.
The fifth example is of the Faith of Rahab the Harlot, and Alien, in whom God looks at her endeavour to preserve the Spies as an effect of Faith, and passes by the lye which she told out of humane infirmity, but doeth not approve it; for they who have Faith, do not do all things of Faith: This Woman by Faith in the God of Israel, peaceably received, and privily sent away the Israelitish Spies, and was saved from perishing with her unbelieving Fellow-Citizens of Ierico. Hence Argum. 21. No precedent sins can hinder, but that they who fly unto God, and the fellowship of the true Church by Faith, are saved, and perish no… with Infidels, as appears by the example of Rahab the Harlot, converted to the Faith: Therefore, &c.
Vers. 32. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail mee to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Sampson, and of Jephthae, of David also and Samuel, and of the Prophets.
33. Who through Faith subdued Kingdomes, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of Lions,
34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the Sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to …light the Armies of the Aliens.
35. Women received their dead, raised to life again.
The fourth Rank or Classis of examples follows, viz. of the faith of those who lived the remaining time after Ioshua, some of whose names he reckons up, six in number; and to these hee adjoyns the Prophets, and other Saints, who lived before Christ; whereof some, what were they not able to do by Faith? Others, what were they not able to suffer? Hee reckons up ten sorts of their actions. (1) Some by Faith subdued Kingdomes, as the fore-mentioned Iudges, and David the King. (2) Others wrought righteousness, being tryed in difficult matters, as when David twice spared Saul, persecuting him in an hostile manner. (3) Some having overcome difficulties, constantly persevered, till the special promises made to them were performed, as David obtained the promised Kingdome by Faith. (4) Others by Faith stopped the mouths of Lions, as Sampson, David, Daniel, ver. 33. (5) Some by Faith quenched the violence of fire, as the three companions of Daniel. (6) Others escaped the edge of the sword, or present death, as Elias flying from the threatnings of Iezabel. (7) Some ou… of weakness were made strong, and recovered out of mortal diseases, as Hezekiah. (8) Others waxed valiant in fight, as Sampson and David. (9) Some put to flight the Armies of the Aliens, as Gideon, ver. 34. (10) Others received their dead raised to life again, as the Widdow of Sarepta, the Hostess of Elias, and the Shunamite, the Hostess of Elizeus, ver. 35.
Vers. 35. — And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance: that they might obtain a better Resurrection,
And these are the kinds of their famous actions, wherein the Saints excelled by Faith; then follows ten sorts of sufferings, in bearing of which with a good courage, some other servants of God were eminent, whom hee names not: But to question whether there were such, is impious, when the Holy Ghost is the Author, who certified Paul the Pen-man, concerning the truth of what he spake, so that there remains no place for doubting, or curious enquiring from what History hee fetched those things, seeing wee know this very Narration to bee beyond all exception; The first sort of sufferings; others were racked or stretched out by their tormentors, as a skin is stretched upon a Drum, and beaten with Clubs, till they swelled and died, who had the offer of deliverance, if they would deny the Faith; but upon that condition they refused deliverance, hoping for a Resurrection to a better life.
Vers. 36. And others had tryal of cruel mockings and scourgings; yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.
The second sort of sufferings; others endured mockings. (3) Others were scourged. (4) Others also were laid in bonds. (5) And others imprisoned.
Vers. 37. They were stoned, they were …awn asunder, were tempted, were slai… with the sword; they wandered about in Sheep-skins, and Goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.
38. Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in de…s and caves of the earth.
(6.) Some were sto…ed. (7) Some were sawn asunder. (8) Some were tempted, sometimes allured with promises, other while affrighted with threatnings, sometimes solicited with the importu…ity of friends, other whiles vexed with Disputes and Sophistry, devised for opposing of the Faith; which kind of torment is more cruel than death to those that are conscious to their own weakness, and are afraid lest they should bee foiled by the temptation. (9) Some were slain with the sword. (10) Others to avoid death, wandered up and down, having no certain dwelling place, forced to change places, because of the Persecutors cruelty; for want of cloaths, they covered their nakedness with sheep-skins and goat-skins▪ being destitute of humane help, reduced to divers straights, and evil entreated by the world, where ever they came: so that they chose to live in mountains and deserts, in caves and dens of the earth, among wild-beasts rather than men; who that they might not seem forsaken in these afflictions, the Apostle declares, that man-kind, (which dealt so cruelly with them) was not worthy of the company of such precious servants of God. From all these wee shall briefly draw but one Argument, which for memories sake wee set down thus.
Argum. 22. What is there which God requires of us, that wee are not able to effect by Faith? What are wee not able to suffer, that God laies upon us? as appears by the experience of the faithful Saints. Therefore Faith is to be cherished, we ought to live by it, and to persevere in it.
Vers. 39. And these all having obtained a good report through Faith, received not the Promise:
Argum. 23. All the Saints (whereof wee have spoken) by Faith were approved of God, justified, or God gave testimony to them, that they pleased him; although they had not that great Promise of Christs Incarnation, or of the seed of the woman compleated (wherein all the Promises are Yea and Amen) while they lived: Seeing therefore that they who lived in that obscurity, persevered in all persecutions, constant in the Faith of Christ that was to come; how much more ought wee to persevere, who see that Promise compleated in the Faith of Christ now exhibited?
Vers. 40. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hee answers a doubt; some may question why God deferred the comming of Christ, or why hee was not manifested in the times of the Ancient Fathers: Hee answers, adding Argum. 24. It seemed good to God, to vouchsafe us this happiness, that wee should see with our eyes, the fulfilling of all the Oracles and Types; the honour of seeing Christs day, and hearing the Gospel, hee vouchsafed this not to the Fathers, but reserved it for us: Therefore so much the more are wee obliged to persevere in the Faith of Christ, and the constancy of our Profession, to the honour of Christ.
Without us] Hee opens the Counsel of God, concernning the reservation of the honour of seeing Christ exhibited, to our times, and addeth Argum. 25. God would not have the Infant condition of the Church perfect before the exhibition of Christ, without the more compleat condition of the Church after Christ, manifested in the Flesh; that the whole Church, as well before as after Christ might be one perfect man in Christ; nor would God that the faithful living under Legal types, should be otherwaies perfected, than by looking together with us, to the thing signified, which is exhibited in our times: Seeing therefore that they in the Infant condition of the Church, obtained perfect Righteousness and Salvation, by Faith, looking with us upon the thing signified by the Legal types, i. e. upon Christ that was to be manifested, as if he had been manifested already, and patiently persevered through all adversities; It will bee unworthy if wee persevere not constantly in the Faith of Christ, who is exhibited.