vantages at God's call, when we cannot enjoy them with an upright mind, and a good conscience. Quest. But how did Moses come to know his stock and race, that he was an Hebrew born, and not an Egyptian, no son of Pharaoh's daughter? Ans. He found himself circumcised, and so belonged to the circumcised people. The token of God's covenant received in infancy, duly considered, is a most effectual mean to preserve persons in the profession of the true religion. Add to this, that his mother was his nurse, and continually with him, and probably his father frequently; who being persons fearing God, took care very early to impress him with the principles of the true religion, and with the detestation of the Egyptian idolatry.

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a

season.

Observe here, 1. The common lot and usual condition of God's people in this world; it is an afflicted state and condition. 2. That wicked men oft-times enjoy pleasures in the ways of sin, whilst good men meet with much affliction in the work of holiness. 3. That notwithstanding this, all wise and good men do rather choose afflicted godliness, than pleasant and prosperous wickedness. 4. That a spiritual eye can see an excellency in the people of God, when in the lowest suffering condition; will join itself unto them, and appear with them, and for them, though it be with great loss, and much hazard. Moses here chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the short sinful pleasures of Pharaoh's court..

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. The former verse acquainted us with the general choice which Moses made of affliction with the people of God: this acquaints us with one sort and particular kind of affliction which he chose, namely, reproach for Christ; this he counted his glory, his riches, his treasures, beyond all the riches and treasures of Egypt. Note here, That the people of God have been, and usually are, a people under reproach; not only a persecuted, but a reproached people; the foundation of all sufferings is laid in re

proach: this is the cover for all. The Jews by reproaches first stirred up the rage of the people against Christ, before they attempted to take away his life. Note, 2. The reproach of good men is the reproach of Christ, because he and they are but one mystical body, and because of the near union that is between them. The reproach of the wife is the reproach of the husband, especially if she be reproached for his sake, and upon his account. Again observe, What an high esteem a gracious person has of reproaches in the cause of Christ, and for the sake of Christ; he esteems them his glory, his treasure, his greatest treasure; he rejoices and takes pleasure in them, and very much values himself by them. Verily no man deserves the name of a christian until he hath such an esteem of Christ, and value for him, that the worst things in the world, even persecution and reproach, should be preferred by him before the great things of the world, when they stand in competition with him, or in opposition to him. Observe, lastly, The ground of Moses's faith, self-denial, contempt of the world, and all its excellent actions; and that was, the recompence of the reward which he had respect unto: For he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Where note, That there is a reward laid up for good men; that it is lawful, yea, laudable, very expedient, yea, very necessary and needful, for a christian to eye this reward, and to have respect unto it in the whole course of his obedience; and this doing will be a mighty encouraging motive to undergo all hardships and difficulties in the way of religion: He had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Throug faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Our apostle having described the faith of Moses, with respect to his sufferings with the people of God, in the former verses. comes now to instance in the power and activity of it, with respect to their deliverance, in these verses. Where note, 1. The

spiritual fortitude which attended his faith, He forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: even the wrath of the greatest king upon the earth, is to be disregarded, if it lies against our duty to God. Note, 2. The reason or ground of this his fortitude and courage, He endured as seeing him who is invisible; that is, he saw him by faith whom he could not see by sense; he saw him in his omnipresence, power, faithfulness, and had a fixed trust in him at all times, and on all occasions. Learn hence, That there is nothing insuperable to faith, whilst it can keep a clear view of the power of God, and the promise of God. Note, 3. The commendation of Moses' faith,

from a due observation of a double ordinance of worship, namely, the passover, and the sprinkling of blood. As to the former, Moses's faith in keeping the pass over had respect to its divine institution, to the command for its perpetual observance, to the sacramental nature of it, to the mystical or typical signification of it. Learn hence, That a vigorous and lively exercise of faith is always required unto the right and due celebration of a sacramental ordinance; By faith he kept the pass over it follows,-and the sprinkling of blood. This was a temporary ordinance and observation annexed to the first celebration of the passover, not repeated afterwards; the sprinkling of the blood on the side posts of their houses, was a token that the destroying angel shouid pass over those houses, and that none should be destroyed in them; but this rite, though it ceased with the first passover, yet it abides for ever in its mystical signification; God hereby teaching us, that unless we are sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our paschal lamb, no other privilege can secure us from the displeasure of God, and everlasting destruction: By faith he kept the passover, and sprinkling of blood, verse 28. Note, 4. A farther instance of the power and efficacy of Moses's faith in passing through the Red Sea, verse 29. probably he entered first into the sea, at the head of the people himself, both to conduct them, and to encourage them; the water doubtless was raised to a very great height on both sides of them; and though they were a wall unto them, yet it was a mighty act of faith to put themselves between such walls as were ready every moment to fall upon them, had they not been under an Almighty restraint. Learn hence, That faith will overcome all fears and dangers, and find a way

through a sea of difficulties, under the call and at the command of God. But how came it to pass that the Egyptians going in the same path through the Red Sea, were drowned in which the Israelites were preserved? Ans. The Egyptians' entering in was an act of presumption; the Israelites, was an act of faith; God commanded the Israelites to go through; now as faith gives courage to obey God in difficult duties, so it gives encouragement to hope that safety shall evermore accompany duty.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

After the faith of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea, we have here the faith of Joshua and the Israelites before Jericho, recorded and related. Jericho was a walled and well-fenced city, and a frontier town, that kept them from entering into Canaan. God commanded them not to fight, but to walk, to go round the city seven days, and he would give them an unexpected entrance into it; they believe and obey, and the success was according to their desire: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, &c. Here note, 1. The grace exercised, faith: they believed God upon his word, they enter Canaan at this frontier town; God remembers his promise, and disappoints not the faith and expectation of his people. Note, 2. The readiness and exactness of the people's obedience; they compassed the town so many days, they do what God commands and no more; here is no mount raised, no engine planted, no sword drawn, they only walk, not fight. Doubtless the men of Jericho made themselves merry with this sight, and said one to another. "What, will these men beat down our city with their eyes? Will they conquer us only by gazing upon us?" And farther, as the army only must encompass the city, so must the priests blow with rams'-horns; a contemptible mean! had they made use of the silver trumpets of the sanctuary, that had been a good ground to hope for success, they being the symbols and sacred signs of God's presence with them; but verily trumpets of rams'-horns seemed more fit to move laughter, than to do execution; yet assuredly no ram of iron could have been so forcible for battery as these rams'horns, when God had appointed them. It is the praise of omnipotency oft-times to work improbabilities. Note, 3. The event and success which followed their faith, and

accompanied their obedience, The walls of Jericho fell down. Nothing can stand before the power of God, and the faith of his people. If we will believe God's promises, and execute his commands, we need no shifts nor artifices, no power nor policy of our own, to work deliverance for us. Learn hence, That when faith makes use of the means prescribed by God, though it cannot discern what influence the means can have to the end aimed at, yet the issue and event shall certainly be according to God's appointment and faith's expectation; By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, afler, &c.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not when she had received the spies with peace.

Observe here, 1. The person spoken of, Rahab, a Gentile, an Amorite, an harlot, who kept a victualling house in Jericho, and so was both harlot and hostess, defiled both in body and mind, with idolatry and adultery. 2. What is spoken of her; she behieved: By faith Rahab, &c. She was converted to God before the spies came to her, by what she had heard of him and his mighty works. Behold here a blessed instance! 1. Of the sovereignty and freedom of God's grace. 2. Of the power and efficacy of divine grace, in calling and converting a person given up by her own choice to the vilest of sins, even to the ravings of lust; but no sinner nor sin is to be despaired of, in whose cure sovereign grace is engaged. Observe, 3. The effect and fruit of her faith, She received the spies with peace; that is, entertained them safely, concealed them, gave them intelligence, exposed herself to danger in the conveyance of them; an eminent fruit, a special evidence, and an high demonstration of her faith: indeed she told an officious lie; but God pardoned it, and the apostle here makes no mention of it; the Holy Ghost lays, as it were, the finger upon the scar, and covers it out of sight, contrary to the practice of the malignant world, who overlook all the good, and reflect only upon the evil of an action; whereas God takes notice of the good, but passes by the evil. Observe, 4. The benefit and advantage she received by her faith; she perished not: that is, when the credulous and idolatrous people of Jericho were destroyed, she and her family were preserved. From the whole learn, 1. That God is

ready to show wonderful mercy to penitent sinners, if they return to him and believe in him, how great soever their sins have formerly been. Learn, 2. That true faith, wherever it is, will show itself by some eminent effect, and notable fruits of it. Learn, 3. That the rewards of faith are excellent and truly glorious as she was preserved from the common ruin at Jericho, so shall all believers be saved from that wrath and destruction which shall come ere long upon the impenitent and unbelieving world.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samand Samuel, and of the prophets : son, and of Jephthae: of David also, 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, 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 flight the armies of the aliens: 35 Women received their dead raised to life again :—

In these and the following verses, our apostle sums up the remaining testimonies which he might have produced, to show the great things which faith had assisted persons to do, and also enabled them to suffer the hardest and most terrible things that could be encountered with: in the verses now be fore us, an account is given us of the great things of all sorts which faith has enabled to do; particularly it was faith that made them fearless whom God raised up, in the days of the Judges, to conflict with the enemies of the church; it was faith that assisted them in the combat, and rendered them victorious in the conflict; it was faith rendered Gideon successful over the Midianites, Barak over the Canaanites, Samson over the Philistines, Jephthah over the Amorites, David over the Jebusites and Moabites; it was faith in the promise of God that made them courageous, and rendered them victorious: there is nothing so great, so difficult, or seemingly insuperable, that should hinder us from acting faith in all things, even things more great and excellent than the conquest of earthly kingdoms. Observe next, Our apostle having enumerated the persons believing, he now reckons up the noble acts and honourable achievements of their faith:

Through faith they subdued kingdoms; so did Joshua subdue all the kingdoms in Canaan, and David all the kingdoms about it, viz. Moab, Ammon, Edom, Syria, and the Philistines; these were subdued by faith, because what they did was in obedience to God's command, and in the accomplishment of his promises, for he had given all those kingdoms by promise to the Israelites, before they were subdued by them: thus they are said to subdue kingdoms by faith. Yet note, That they made use of all other heroic virtues besides faith; courage, valour, military skill, and military stratagems: faith excites all graces and virtues, and puts them in motion. Wrought righteousness; they executed the judgments of God on the enemies of the church, and administered justice impartially to all that were under their rule and government, and this working righteousness is a fruit of faith, for unbelief is the cause of all the injustice and oppression that is in the world. Obtained promises; that is, the good things promised; so did Abraham by faith obtain a promised son, Joshua a promised Canaan, David a promised kingdom; but there was a great space of time between the promise and the performance, which put their faith sometimes hard to it. Stopped the mouths of lions: thus Daniel, chap. vi. because he believed in his God, ver. 23. and the faith which heretofore stopped the mouths of lions, can stop the rage of the most savage oppressors and persecu tors, whenever God pleases. Quenched the violence of fire; so did the three children's faith, Dan. iii. not a hair of their head was singed; they knew not which way God would deliver them, but they committed themselves to the omnipotency and sovereignty of God in the discharge of their duty, with a full persuasion that one way or other he would deliver them.-Escaped the edge of the sword; as did David the sword of Goliath and Saul, though sometimes his fear prevailed that he should one day perish by the sword of Saul. Fear may be in cases of danger, and yet faith at the same time have the principal conduct of the soul: by faith David escaped the edge of the sword; so did the Jews the sword of Haman, and Elijah the sword of Jezebel. Out of weakness were made strong: some apply this to Gideon and his three hundred men, Judges vii. 15. others to Hezekiah, who by the power of faith, was in a wonderful manner recovered and restored from a desperate sickness to perfect health, Isa. xxxviii. Waxed valiant in fight; so did Joshua, Gideon,

Barak, Jephthah, and David, who through faith in the promise, and of the presence of God with them, feared neither the number nor strength of their enemies. David often declares that God girded him with strength to the battle, and taught his hands to war, and his fingers to fight; so that though an host encamped against him, yet his heart was not afraid. Turned to flight the armies of the aliens: those aliens were the heathens and idolaters, Philistines and Midianites, who were enemies to Israel, and to the God of Israel, and they made them fly, and turn their backs; for as they fought for God out of a principle of faith, so God fought for them according to the faithfulness of his promise, which was the ground of their confidence and courage. Women received their dead raised to life again: this is applied to the widow of Zerephath, and the Shunamite, 2 Kings iv. 36. 1 Kings xvii. 23. they were raised by the prophets' faith, and received by their mothers, when raised, with joy and thankfulness. These ten instances did the apostle select and choose out of many, to give of the great things that had been done through faith, thereby to assure the Hebrews, and us with them, that there is nothing too hard nor difficult for faith to effect, when it is set on work and managed according to the power of God.

-And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain 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 dens and caves of the earth.

Our apostle baving, in the foregoing verses, acquainted the Hebrews with the great things which faith enabled the Old-Testament saints to do, he now lays before them an account of the hard and difficult things which faith enabled them to suffer, and here reckons up the sharpest and bitterest sufferings that human nature perhaps can be exposed to; but to do the greatest things,