VERSE 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. §1. Connexion. $2, 3. (I.) Exposition. The fruit of Abraham's faith. 4. His numerous posterity. §5. (II.) Observations. §1. In this verse we have an illustration of the fruit of faith by an eminent consequent of it, the innumerable posterity of Abraham; and, indeed, this may be called the gratuitous remuneration of faith, although it be not added particularly, that it was by "faith." For it was expressly contained in the promise to Abraham, which he "received by faith." Wherefore the belief thereof belonged to that faith of Abraham for which he is commended; and it had its peculiar difficulties also, that rendered it both acceptable and commendable. For whereas he himself had but one son by virtue of the promise, it was not easy for him to apprehend how he should have such an innumerable posterity. And it may be observed, that the first testimony given to the justification of Abraham by faith, was upon his belief of this part of the promise, that "his seed should be as the stars of heaven, that cannot be numbered;" for it is immediately added, that "he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to him for righteousness," Gen. xv, 5, 6. For although this promise concerned things temporal, yet it belonged to the way of redemption by Christ, the promised seed; so that justifying faith may act itself, and be an evidence of our justification, when we believe promises even about temporal merciés, as they belong to the covenant; whereof we have innumerable examples. under the Old Testament. §2. (I.) "Therefore sprang," &c. The note of inference (0) therefore, respects not a consequence in the way of reasoning, but the introduction of another matter; also the particle (na) and, in the original is not conjunctive, but emphatical only. The blessing here declared as a fruit of faith is a numerous posterity; not only had Abraham and Sarah one son upon their believing, but by him a numerous, yea, an innumerable posterity. But it may be inquired, whence this should be such a blessing, as to be celebrated amongst the most eminent fruits of faith, and as the subject of a solemn divine promise? I answer, because the whole church of God, the true worshippers of him under the Old Testament, was confined to the posterity of Abraham; therefore was their multiplication a singular blessing, which all the faithful prayed for, and rejoiced in. So is it stated by Moses, Deut. i, 10, 11, "The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and behold you are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you as he hath promised you." §3. "Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead." The root of this numerous posterity is but one-Abraham. Unto him alone was the great promise of the blessing seed now confined, and yet he was heir of all the promises. Of him as good as dead, Rom. iv, 19, (coμa nòn vevenpwμevov) "his body being now dead," brought towards death, made impotent by age, being about an hundred years old. §4. "So many as the stars of the sky in number;" (тa aciɛpa to spare) the stars of heaven. This expression was first used by God himself, who commanded Abraham to go out, or brought him forth abroad, and bad him look towards heaven, and tell the stars, if he were able to number them. Now it is evident, that in a naked view of them, and without the rules of art, (as they were shewn to Abraham) there can be no greater appearance of what is absolutely innumerable. Besides, I judge that in this comparison not only their number, but also their beauty and order are respected. In the other allusion they are declared to be absolutely innumerable. It is not said, that they shall be "as many as the sand by the sea-shore," but as innumerable. To which the event wonderfully correspond ed. And hence proceeded the miraculous multiplication of the posterity of Jacob in Egypt; for, from seventy-five persons, sprang, in little more than two hundred years, six hundred thousand men, besides women and children. §5. (II.) Here observe, 1. When God is pleased to increase his church in number, it is on various accounts a matter of rejoicing to all believers; and a subject of their daily prayers, as what is frequently promised in the word of truth. 2. God oftentimes by nature works things above the power of nature in its efficacy and operations. By weak and dead means he often produceth mighty ef fects. 3. Whatever difficulties lie in the way of accomplishing the promises under the New Testament made to Jesus Christ, concerning the increase and stability of his church and kingdom, they shall have an assured accomplishment. VERSE 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises; but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 1. Introduction. $2 (1.) Exposition. All die in faith. 3. Not having received the promises. $4 But having seen them afar off. 65. And were persuaded of them. $6 And embraced them. $7. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. §8. (II) Observations. §1. BECAUSE there was somewhat peculiar in these instances, compared with those before recounted, and those which follow after; namely, their pilgrim state after the call of Abraham; the apostle diverts to what they did, attained, and professed in that state. §2 (I.) "All these died in faith;" (culo, Tavles) all these; that is, all those who left their own country on the special command of God, living as pilgrims in the land of Canaan, and elsewhere, Abraham, Sarahı, Isaac, and Jacob. This is evident from what follows, (ver. 13—15; atɛbavov nala Tol) died in faith; there is no doubt but that the apostle commends their faith from its perseverance unto the end; but there is also intended, that they died in the exercise of faith, a firm belief of a substantial existence after this life; a resignation and trust of their departing souls into the care and power of God; the belief of a future state of blessedness and rest, here called an heavenly country, a city prepared for them by God; faith of the resurrection of their bodies after death, that their entire persons which had undergone the pilgrimage of this life might be stated in eternal rest. For, on this their dying in faith, God after death "was not ashamed to be called their God," ver. 16. Whence our Savior proves the resurrection of the body, Matt. xxii, 32. §3. (Μη λαβοντες τας επαγγελίας) not having received the promises. It is granted, that the promises are here taken for the things promised; for, as to the promises themselves, they saw them, they were persuaded of them, they embraced them; wherefore it cannot be said that they received them not. And of Abraham it is said expressly, that he did receive the promises, ver. 17; as also that all other believers under the Old Testament did obtain them, ver. 83. Again, the promises in the plural number is the same with the promise in the singular, ver. 33. For the promise intended was but one; but whereas it is frequently renewed, it is called the "promises;" as also because of the manifold occasional additions that were made to it, and declaratory of it. This promise is no other but that of the actual exhibition of Christ in the flesh, with all the 'privileges of the church thereby, which the apostle had so fully insisted on, chap. vii-x. This was that better thing which God provided for us under the New Testament, that they without us should not be made perfect, ver. 40. §4. But (Toppbev avlas idovtes) having seen them afar off; at a great distance of time. This farther makes it evident, that the things promised, and not the promises themselves, are intended; for the promises were not afar off but present with them. They saw them; understood in general the mind of God in the promises, and had the idea of the things promised in their minds. They saw them as a map, wherein was drawn the scheme of divine wisdom, goodness, and grace, for their deliverance from the state of sin and misery; but at such a distance as that they could not clearly discern the things themselves. And this is the first act of faith with respect to divine promises; a discerning or understanding of the goodness, wisdom, love, and grace of God in them, suited to o ur deliverance and salvation. And this I take to be intended in this expression, "they saw them." $5. "And were (TEITBEVES) persuaded of them;" fully or certainly persuaded of them, as the word is fre |