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 corresponded. And hence proceeded the miraculous multiplication of the posterity of Jacob in Egypt; for, from sev enty-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 effects.

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 (I.) Exposition. All die in faith. $3. Not having received the promises. $4 But having seen them afar off. $5. 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;" (aulo 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, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob. This is evident from what follows, (ver. 13—15; atɛbavov nala Tolv) 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 λαβονίες 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. 33.

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 (Toppwłεv 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 our deliverance and salvation. And this I take to be intended in this expression, "they saw them."

$5. "And were (TEITɛvies) persuaded of them;" fully or certainly persuaded of them, as the word is fre

quently used, denoting the satisfactory acquiescence of the mind in the truth of God as to their accom plishment. For when we discern the excellency of the things contained in them, the next inquiry is after an assurance of our participation of them. And here in, on the part of God, his truth and veracity represent themselves to us, Tit. i, 2. Hence arises a firm persuasion of mind concerning their accomplishment. And to confirm this persuasion, God in infinite condescension, confirmed his promise and his truth to Abraham with his oath, chap. vi, 12-18. Hereon they were assuredly persuaded, that they were not empty flourishes, mere promises, or subject to any disappointment; but, notwithstanding their great distance, and the intervenience of all sorts of difficulties, they should certainly be accomplished in their appointed time, Isa. ix, 22.

§6. On this persuasion they (acaoaμevoi) embraced them. The word signifies to salute, and is applied to such salutations as are accompanied with delight and veneration; and because it is usually expressed by stretching out the hands to receive and embrace, it is used also for to embrace, which is here the most

proper sense of it. Wherefore this embracing of the promises, is the heart's cleaving to them with love, delight, and complacency, which, if it be not a proper act of faith, yet it is an inseparable fruit. This was the faith whereby the elders obtained a good report, and not a mere naked, barren assent to divine revelation, which is all that some will allow to it.

$7. "And confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers on the earth;" (opokoynavies) they confessed, avowedly professed, that their interest was not in this world; but they had such a satisfactory portion in the promises which they embraced, that they openly de

clared, they were (Evo naι TαрEлidиpoi) strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Rest, or home, is the perfection of our nature; and it was originally intrusted with powers for the attaining of it; but by sin these powers are lost, and the end is no more by them attainable; yet we cannot but continue still to seek after it; and most men look for it in this world, in this life. This, therefore, is their home, their country, their city of habitation. But these believers professed that this was not their rest, they did but wander about in the world for a season. Abraham made this profession, Gen. xxiii, 4; and Jacob, Gen. xli, 8, 9; and David, 1 Chron. xxix, 15; Psal. xxxix, 12; and that all believers are such, the apostle Peter declares, 1 Epis. ii, 11.

If we distinguish these two sorts, (Evo) strangers are such as are always moving, having no abiding place at all; such was the state of our Lord Jesus Christ during his ministry, where he had not to lay his head; and (αpeñidyμo) pilgrims, are such as take up an abode for a season, without an intermixture with the rights, duties, or privileges of the place where they are.

This they are said to be (εT Tμs yps) on the earth, during their whole continuance in this world. And an intimation is given of that other state which they looked for, and wherein their interest lay, which is heaven.

1. §8. (II.) Hence observe,

1. It is the glory of true faith that it will not leave them in whom it is, that it will not cease its actings i: for their support and comfort in their dying moments; when the hope of the hypocrite shall perish.

2. The life of faith eminently manifests itself in death, when all other reliefs and supports fail.