I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

This Eleventh Chapter of the Hebrews, being a a Chronicle of the old Testament-Believers; we find here the report of a doing, and a suffering F•ith. The Doing Faith is described, and commended by several Instances at large in the former part of the Chapter; and more compendiously, and briefly, at verse 32. What shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Sampson, and of Jeptha, of David also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets: who through Faith, subdued Kingdoms, wrought Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of Lyons, quenched the ⟨p. 20⟩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, women received their dead raised to life again.

THis Eleventh Chapter of the Hebrews, being a a Chronicle of the old Testament-Beleevers; we find here the report of a doing, and a suffering F•ith. The Doing Faith is described, and commended by several Instances at large in the former part of the Chapter; and more compendiously, and briefly, at verse 32. What shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Sampson, and of Jeptha, of David also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets: who through Faith, subdued Kingdoms, wrought Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of Lyons, quenched the ⟨p. 20⟩violence of Fire, escaped the edg of the Sword; out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens, women received their dead raised to life again.

In the Words that I have chosen to speak unto at this time, you have another sort and Rank of Believers, famous in their Generation for their Suffering Faith. I have spoken unto the former in a Neighbouring Congregation, having showed, that this Faith will do great things. Now in these words, we have a Suffering Faith; for by faith they should be carried through these Sufferings; thus are the words to be understood. Others by faith were tortured; and others by faith had trial of cruel mockings, and scourgings; and others by faith were stoned, lawn asunder, &c. It seems then, that these the Apostle here speaks of, were such as lived in the time of the Maccabees; they did not l ve after Christ, for it is said at verse 39. They received not the Promise, Christ was not come when they lived. And they did not live in the times of the Prophets, or before; for the Apostle had brought down his Chronicle unto the days of the Prophets, as ye read in verse 32. So that these must needs live in the times of the Maccabees. It seems then that Ecclesiastical Histories, may at some times be made use of, in the preaching of aih.