Faith illustrated in the sufferings of ancient worthies: 175 doms, wrought right- many a painful struggle, subdued the kingdoms SECT. Cousness, obtained pro- of those princes which had oppressed God's xviii. mises, stopped the Israel; others of them wrought righteousness, Heb. mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escapsword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, ed the edge of the turned to flight the armies of the aliens. and carried their obedience to God, and their XI. 33. Nay as to some of them we are expressly said, 34 that they quenched the violence of the fire, when they were actually thrown into the furnace; others of them escaped the edge of the sword, when it was just lifted up to destroy them; they were strengthened in the midst of weakness, and many of them became so valiant in battle, that they repelled the armies of the aliens, or foreign enemies, when they encamped against them. 55 Women received There are also recorded in the prophetic writings 35 their dead raised to life other instances, in which women received their tortured, not accepting dead [children] by a resurrection from the dead; deliverance; that they which till these examples, had never been known might or heard of. (Compare 1 Kings xvii. 22, 23; again and others were 2 Kings iv. 36, 37.) And the credible records a Wrought righteousness.] Some have interpreted this, not only of their leading lives exemplary for holiness, but administering justice to others. But I do not know that the phrase has ever that signification. b Edge of the sword.] Probably this may refer to the deliverance of David from the sword of Saul, and of Elijah, and Micaiah, from that of Ahab. c Strengthened in weakness.] Some refer this to their being recovered from sickness, by faith and prayer, as Hezekiah, Job, and David were. d Were tortured.] The original word signifies a peculiar sort of torture, which was called that of the tympanum, or drum when they were extended in the most vio- e Not accepting deliverance.] Probably sages 176 Who had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, SECT. them, nor even riches and preferments added might obtain a better xviii. to the proposal, that they might obtain a bet- resurrection. Heb. 36 And others had and scourgings; yea, ter resurrection than their persecutors could XI. 35. offer them, when they seemed more than half dead; even a resurrection to the enjoyment of 36 an everlasting kingdom in the heavens. And others, in the same glorious cause, received the trial of cruel mockings, trial of cruel mockings and scourgings; but moreover, of bonds and neither the derision, nor the pain, could prevail imprisonment. upon them to desert their profession. Yea, they proved also the utmost force of bonds and imprisonment, in which many of them languished for tedious months and years, under all the ill-usage which commonly attends such confinements. 37 And others were brought out from their bonds to the most infamous and painful executions; ned, they were sawn and they were some of them stoned, and others asunder, were tempsawn asunder, they were tempted by unheard- the sword: they wanof cruelties on the one hand, as well as the dered about in sheepoffers of immediate deliverance on the other, and at length slain with the sword; they wandered about clothed in the meanest manner, and sometimes, when their former habits were worn out, sages referred to could afford certain proof state. f Better resurrection.] Dr. Owen understands this, as if the apostle had meant, The better resurrection, that is, the resurrection which is better than the resurrection of the wicked. But it is observed by Jacobus Capellus, that most probably, in that case, the article would have been prefixed της κρείονος αναβάσεως. The opinion of Crellius and Dr. Hammond, is, that the word better, is to be understood as opposed to a present remission of their torments; and this sense I have adopted in the paraphrase; supposing it bears a respect to the deliverance which they would not accept, mentioned in the words immediately preceding. Mr. Hallet is exceeding clear, that the opposition lies between the resurrection to eternal life, which these martyrs expected, and the resurrection of the dead children to life in this world, mentioned in the first clause of the verse. g Scourgings.] Jeremiah was buffeted, Jer. xx. 2; and some think, scourged too, chap. xxxvii, 15. But scourging was so only 37 They were sto ted, were slain with skins. frequent a punishment, both alone, and before a capital execution, (compare Dr. Lardner's Credibility of the Gospel-history, Vol. I. Book I. chap. viii. § 13, and Dr. Scott on Matthew xxvii. 26,) that it is probable it was inflicted on many other pious persons on account of their religion. h Sawn asunder.] Dr. Prideaux, (Connect. Vol. I. p. 29,) and many others, suppose the apostle might here refer to the tradition among the Jews, that the prophet Isaiah was sawn asunder at the command of Manasseh. Calmet understands by this expression, being torn in pieces, as it were, under a threshing instrument, consisting of wooden rollers, full of sharp iron teeth like a harrow. Compare Isa. xli. 15; xxviii. 27; 2 Sam. xii. 31. Calmet's Diss. Vol. II. No. 5, p. 134, 135. Who wandered in desarts, and in mountains, &c. 177 skins, and goat-skins, only in sheep-skins and in goat-skins, being des- SECT. being destitute, afflictitute of the common accommodations of life, xviii. afflicted and even tormented, sometimes by the ted, tormented; 38 Of whom the world was not worthy : they wandered in de sarts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all report through faith, received not the pro mise: 40 God having pro fury of their enemies, and at other times by the XI. 37. And all these heroes in different ages, were 39 having obtained a good supported under their respective trials, severe and extreme as they were, by the exercise of a firm and lively faith, in the fidelity of God, and the invisible rewards and glories of a future state; and it was by this, that having obtained a good report, they persevered to the end. But they did not receive the full accomplishment of the promise made to their fathers, nor have they yet arrived to the full and complete enjoyment of that glory which faith taught them to expect: better God having according to the counsels of his in- 40 finite wisdom, provided something still better for us, in the gospel-revelation; that so the beauty of his conduct and administration might be so much the more apparent; and that they, without us, might not be made perfect'; but all might end with the greatest dignity and propriety, in bringing all his children together, to the full consummation of their hopes in Christ Jesus his Son, at the time of his final and triumphant appearance. vided some thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. k Sheep-skins: μnλwlais.] The Seventy, in the case of Elijah, translate the word which we render mantle, by union, a sheep-skin. That sheep-skins and goat-skins, or at least the skins of some animals, were frequently worn by the ancient prophets, seems to be intimated, Zech. xiii. 4. 1 That they, without us, might not be made perfect.] It is debated, whether this refers to the most perfect state of the church on earth, and so expresses a decorum in the conduct of providence, in gradually improving the church of God; or to the glory of the future state. I have given in In the paraphrase what seemed to me the most m Being 178 SECT. xviii. Heb. We then are compassed with a great cloud of witnesses. n XII. 1. Wherefore, passed about with so nesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. sin which doth so easily In the mean time, we may consider this glorious and triumphant assembly, as looking down seeing we also are comfrom the peaceful and blessed state at which many great a cloud of witXII. 1. of them are already arrived, and observing the manner in which we endeavour to follow them. And let the thought animate us in a becoming manner. Being therefore, as we are, encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses who surround us on every side in a vast innume rable assembly, the spectators of our trial, let us lay aside every incumbering weight, and especially the sin which in present circumstances has the greatest advantage [against us°,] I mean, a disposition to relinquish, or dissemble the gospel, for fear of sufferings; [and] let us run with patience and perseverance, the race which is set before us, resolutely persisting in it, how long 2 and painful soever it may be. Looking off 2 Looking unto Jefrom every object which would interrupt us in sus, the author and our career, and fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the who for the joy that leader and finisher of [our] faith, who called was set before him, us out to this strenuous, yet glorious, enterprise; who animates us by his example, and supports us by his grace, till the season comes, in which he shall bestow upon us the promised crown. m Being therefore encompassed, &c. let us.] Our translators have rendered this, Wherefore seeing we also; connecting xx with us, whereas it should be joined with rayapy, and considered as a kind of expletive. n Cloud of witnesses.] Capellus thinks this expression is an allusion to vast numbers of birds flying together like a cloud, Isa. lx. 8. The word witnesses certainly alludes to the Olympic race, where persons were appointed to stand at the mark, to observe who first came thither, and give evidence in favour of the conquerer; upon whom therefore a crown was bestowed according to their testimony. The allusion in laying aside every incumbrance, is too evident to need further illustration. See the next note. o In present circumstances has the greatest advantage: αμαρίίαν εμπερισαίον.] This (as some imagine) may signify a sin which sits easily about us; which is explained of the vanity of the world, that seems to be matter of comparatively little danger, yet may be a fatal entanglement to us; as light garments may to those who run a race, when they are blown about by the wind. Others would render it, The wellcircumstanced sin, in opposition to what is sal, without any recommending He finisher of our faith; endured circumstance, or bare of ornament. Thus it is illustrated by Dunlop, Vol. I. Serm. xiii. p. 309-316. p The Author and Finisher of our faith.] It must be confessed the word [our] is not in the original; but the faith of which Christ is the Author and Finisher must be the faith of Christians; and when he is said to be the Author and Finisher of our faith, it must signify, not only that he was an illustrious example of it, but that, as our Leader, he brings us to it, and carries us on in the exercise of it, till we attain the complete felicity to which it was intended to introduce us. The word looking, apofwyles, properly signifies our taking off our regard from other things, that we may fix them upon Christ.-Mr. Dunlop thinks Christ is called the Author and Finisher of faith, in allusion to the judges of the games, who set laws before the contenders whereby they were to govern themselves, and then adjudged the crowns to the conquerors. Thus, says that excellent writer, he eases us of our burthens, ani mates our faintness, retards the progress of our enemies, and at length will with his own hands set upon our heads that beautiful diadem which he hath purchased with his own blood. For Reflections on the foregoing examples of faith. is set down at the right God. 179 endured the cross, des- He indeed is the most illustrious example of SECT. pising the shame, and all, who for the joy and glory that was set before xvii. hand of the throne of him, in the view of honouring his heavenly Heb. Father, and procuring the salvation of men, and XII, 2, so passing to such exalted honour and felicity, endured all the agonies of the cross despising the shame of so ignominious an execution. And accordingly, now the infamy, the pain, and the humiliation are ceased for ever, he is ascended to that world, where alone such consummate goodness could receive its proper reward. And there he is set down in conspicuous and peerless majesty, at the right hand of the glorious and exalted throne of God, there to live and reign in immortal felicity and dignity. And among all the illustrious examples of faith, by whom you may be animated and edified, there is none comparable to him. IMPROVEMENT. Ver. 31, Is it possible we should read these animated periods without feeling our hearts glow with a sacred ambition of acting as becomes those who have heard such tidings and beheld such examples? If the triumphs of faith in Rahab, and Gideon, and Barak, and Sampson, and Jephtha, cannot move us, nor even those of David, and of Samuel; if we are insensible of the martial prowess which they exerted in firm dependance on the Lord God of hosts; let us behold other combats, in which they who seemed weaker : became yet more gloriously victorious. Let us remember, not, 33 only the mouths of lions stopped, but the violence of fire quenched, when the faithful servants of God were thrown into it. Yea, let us behold those who endured its unquenched violence, and turned 34 all those painful and terrible sensations, into an heroic occasion of expressing the superior ardour of their love to God, and the stedfastness of their faith in him. Let us remember those youths, and children, and women, among the rest of these worthies, indeed 35 among the worthiest of them, who were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. q For the joy that was set before him.] Some would render it, Instead of the joy that lay before him, meaning the honour and happiness he might have enjoyed in the present world. But προκειμένης has so evident a reference to verse 1. that I cannot by any means acquiesce in that in terpretation. Besides, the word ay may well signify, set against that joy, and then VOL. X. In the meaning will be, that he despised the 32 |