An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

he had instanced in the great achievements, many worthies had accomplished by faith, at the twelfth Chapter he beginneth, Seeing we are compassed about with such a cloud of witnesses, or Martyrs, for so we may render it, Let us run the race that is set before us. We have such a cloud of witnesses, that as the cloud did direct and guide the people of Israel in the wilderness; so also should the lives and examples of so many (called for that end likewise a cloud) guide us and teach us. Who then can be diffident, unbelieving, fearful, when he hath such encouragements before his eyes?

he had instanced in the great atchievements, many worthies had accomplished by faith, at the twelfth Chapter he beginneth, Seeing we are compassed about with such a cloud of witnesses, or Martyrs, for so we may render it, Let us runne the race that is set before us. We have such a cloud of witnesses, that as the cloud did direct and guide the people of Israel in the wildernesse; so also should the lives and examples of so many (called for that end likewise a cloud) guide us and teach us. Who then can be diffident, unbelieving, fearfull, when he hath such encouragements before his eyes?

Thirdly, From the consideration of such worthies suffering for Christ, we may also take occasion to rejoice, and to be glad. So far should we be from shrinking ¹and apostatizing from Christ, there are several causes of rejoicing; partly in God, blessing and praising him, who doth so much exalt himself in weak vessels. As God hath always delighted to bring about the greatest glory to himself by abject and contemptible means. Thus also he doth by the sufferings of his people; that which is most unlikely, by that he magnifieth himself: and that God is seen, and made great in the world, this should mightily rejoice us, partly, Because we have the same God, and the same promise that they had. And therefore we may look to rejoice as well as they. They have not a more merciful or powerful God than thou hast; neither have they more excellent or better promises than thou hast. So that as fire kindleth fire, thus their joy may produce joy in thee.