Greek NT with variants

1εστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} δεG1161{CONJ} πιστιςG4102{N-NSF} ελπιζομενωνG1679{V-PPP-GPM} υποστασιςG5287{N-NSF} πραγματωνG4229{N-GPN} ελεγχοςG1650{N-NSM} ουG3756{PRT-N} βλεπομενωνG991{V-PPP-GPN} 2ενG1722{PREP} ταυτηG3778{D-DSF} γαρG1063{CONJ} εμαρτυρηθησανG3140{V-API-3P} οιG3588{T-NPM} πρεσβυτεροιG4245{A-NPM} 3πιστειG4102{N-DSF} νοουμενG3539{V-PAI-1P} κατηρτισθαιG2675{V-RPN} τουςG3588{T-APM} αιωναςG165{N-APM} ρηματιG4487{N-DSN} θεουG2316{N-GSM} ειςG1519{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} μηG3361{PRT-N} εκG1537{PREP} φαινομενωνG5316{V-PEP-GPN} ατοG3588{T-ASN} τσβταG3588{T-NPN} αβλεπομενονG991{V-PPP-ASN} τσββλεπομεναG991{V-PPP-NPN} γεγονεναιG1096{V-2RAN} 4πιστειG4102{N-DSF} πλειοναG4119{A-ASF-C} θυσιανG2378{N-ASF} αβελG6{N-PRI} παραG3844{PREP} καινG2535{N-PRI} προσηνεγκενG4374{V-AAI-3S} τωG3588{T-DSM} θεωG2316{N-DSM} διG1223{PREP} ηςG3739{R-GSF} εμαρτυρηθηG3140{V-API-3S} ειναιG1511{V-PXN} δικαιοςG1342{A-NSM} μαρτυρουντοςG3140{V-PAP-GSM} επιG1909{PREP} τοιςG3588{T-DPN} δωροιςG1435{N-DPN} αυτουG846{P-GSM} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} διG1223{PREP} αυτηςG846{P-GSF} αποθανωνG599{V-2AAP-NSM} ετιG2089{ADV} ασλαλειG2980{V-PAI-3S} βτλαλειταιG2980{V-PMI-3S} 5πιστειG4102{N-DSF} ενωχG1802{N-PRI} μετετεθηG3346{V-API-3S} τουG3588{T-GSM} μηG3361{PRT-N} ιδεινG1492{V-2AAN} θανατονG2288{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} ουχG3756{PRT-N} αηυρισκετοG2147{V-IPI-3S} τσβευρισκετοG2147{V-IPI-3S} διοτιG1360{CONJ} μετεθηκενG3346{V-AAI-3S} αυτονG846{P-ASM} οG3588{T-NSM} θεοςG2316{N-NSM} προG4253{PREP} γαρG1063{CONJ} τηςG3588{T-GSF} μεταθεσεωςG3331{N-GSF} τσβαυτουG846{P-GSM} μεμαρτυρηταιG3140{V-RPI-3S} αευαρεστηκεναιG2100{V-PAN} τσβευηρεστηκεναιG2100{V-RAN} τωG3588{T-DSM} θεωG2316{N-DSM} 6χωριςG5565{ADV} δεG1161{CONJ} πιστεωςG4102{N-GSF} αδυνατονG102{A-NSN} ευαρεστησαιG2100{V-AAN} πιστευσαιG4100{V-AAN} γαρG1063{CONJ} δειG1163{V-PQI-3S} τονG3588{T-ASM} προσερχομενονG4334{V-PNP-ASM} τωG3588{T-DSM} θεωG2316{N-DSM} οτιG3754{CONJ} εστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} εκζητουσινG1567{V-PAP-DPM} αυτονG846{P-ASM} μισθαποδοτηςG3406{N-NSM} γινεταιG1096{V-PNI-3S} 7πιστειG4102{N-DSF} χρηματισθειςG5537{V-APP-NSM} νωεG3575{N-PRI} περιG4012{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPN} μηδεπωG3369{ADV} βλεπομενωνG991{V-PPP-GPN} ευλαβηθειςG2125{V-APP-NSM} κατεσκευασενG2680{V-AAI-3S} κιβωτονG2787{N-ASF} ειςG1519{PREP} σωτηριανG4991{N-ASF} τουG3588{T-GSM} οικουG3624{N-GSM} αυτουG846{P-GSM} διG1223{PREP} ηςG3739{R-GSF} κατεκρινενG2632{V-AAI-3S} τονG3588{T-ASM} κοσμονG2889{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} τηςG3588{T-GSF} καταG2596{PREP} πιστινG4102{N-ASF} δικαιοσυνηςG1343{N-GSF} εγενετοG1096{V-2ADI-3S} κληρονομοςG2818{N-NSM} 8πιστειG4102{N-DSF} καλουμενοςG2564{V-PPP-NSM} αβρααμG11{N-PRI} υπηκουσενG5219{V-AAI-3S} εξελθεινG1831{V-2AAN} ειςG1519{PREP} τσβτονG3588{T-ASM} τοπονG5117{N-ASM} ονG3739{R-ASM} ημελλενG3195{V-IAI-3S-ATT} λαμβανεινG2983{V-PAN} ειςG1519{PREP} κληρονομιανG2817{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} εξηλθενG1831{V-2AAI-3S} μηG3361{PRT-N} επισταμενοςG1987{V-PNP-NSM} πουG4226{PRT-I} ερχεταιG2064{V-PNI-3S} 9πιστειG4102{N-DSF} παρωκησενG3939{V-AAI-3S} ειςG1519{PREP} β[την]G3588{T-ASF} τστηνG3588{T-ASF} γηνG1093{N-ASF} τηςG3588{T-GSF} επαγγελιαςG1860{N-GSF} ωςG5613{ADV} αλλοτριανG245{A-ASF} ενG1722{PREP} σκηναιςG4633{N-DPF} κατοικησαςG2730{V-AAP-NSM} μεταG3326{PREP} ισαακG2464{N-PRI} καιG2532{CONJ} ιακωβG2384{N-PRI} τωνG3588{T-GPM} συγκληρονομωνG4789{A-GPM} τηςG3588{T-GSF} επαγγελιαςG1860{N-GSF} τηςG3588{T-GSF} αυτηςG846{P-GSF} 10εξεδεχετοG1551{V-INI-3S} γαρG1063{CONJ} τηνG3588{T-ASF} τουςG3588{T-APM} θεμελιουςG2310{N-APM} εχουσανG2192{V-PAP-ASF} πολινG4172{N-ASF} ηςG3739{R-GSF} τεχνιτηςG5079{N-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} δημιουργοςG1217{N-NSM} οG3588{T-NSM} θεοςG2316{N-NSM} 11πιστειG4102{N-DSF} καιG2532{CONJ} αυτηG846{P-NSF} σαρραG4564{N-NSF} αστειραG4723{N-NSF} δυναμινG1411{N-ASF} ειςG1519{PREP} καταβοληνG2602{N-ASF} σπερματοςG4690{N-GSN} ελαβενG2983{V-2AAI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} παραG3844{PREP} καιρονG2540{N-ASM} ηλικιαςG2244{N-GSF} τσβετεκενG5088{V-2AAI-3S} επειG1893{CONJ} πιστονG4103{A-ASM} ηγησατοG2233{V-ADI-3S} τονG3588{T-ASM} επαγγειλαμενονG1861{V-ADP-ASM} 12διοG1352{CONJ} καιG2532{CONJ} αφG575{PREP} ενοςG1520{A-GSM} εγεννηθησανG1080{V-API-3P} καιG2532{CONJ} ταυταG5023{D-NPN} νενεκρωμενουG3499{V-RPP-GSM} καθωςG2531{ADV} ταG3588{T-NPN} αστραG798{N-NPN} τουG3588{T-GSM} ουρανουG3772{N-GSM} τωG3588{T-DSN} πληθειG4128{N-DSN} καιG2532{CONJ} αβωςG5613{ADV} αβηG3588{T-NSF} τσωσειG5616{ADV} αμμοςG285{N-NSF} ηG3588{T-NSF} παραG3844{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} χειλοςG5491{N-ASN} τηςG3588{T-GSF} θαλασσηςG2281{N-GSF} ηG3588{T-NSF} αναριθμητοςG382{A-NSF} 13καταG2596{PREP} πιστινG4102{N-ASF} απεθανονG599{V-2AAI-3P} ουτοιG3778{D-NPM} παντεςG3956{A-NPM} μηG3361{PRT-N} λαβοντεςG2983{V-2AAP-NPM} ταςG3588{T-APF} επαγγελιαςG1860{N-APF} αλλαG235{CONJ} πορρωθενG4207{ADV} αυταςG846{P-APF} ιδοντεςG1492{V-2AAP-NPM} καιG2532{CONJ} τσπεισθεντεςG3982{V-APP-NPM} τσκαιG2532{CONJ} ασπασαμενοιG782{V-ADP-NPM} καιG2532{CONJ} ομολογησαντεςG3670{V-AAP-NPM} οτιG3754{CONJ} ξενοιG3581{A-NPM} καιG2532{CONJ} παρεπιδημοιG3927{A-NPM} εισινG1526{V-PXI-3P} επιG1909{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} γηςG1093{N-GSF} 14οιG3588{T-NPM} γαρG1063{CONJ} τοιαυταG5108{D-APN} λεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} εμφανιζουσινG1718{V-PAI-3P} οτιG3754{CONJ} πατριδαG3968{N-ASF} επιζητουσινG1934{V-PAI-3P} 15καιG2532{CONJ} ειG1487{COND} μενG3303{PRT} εκεινηςG1565{D-GSF} εμνημονευονG3421{V-IAI-3P} αφG575{PREP} ηςG3739{R-GSF} αεξεβησανG1545{V-2AAI-3P} τσβεξηλθονG1831{V-2AAI-3P} ειχονG2192{V-IAI-3P} ανG302{PRT} καιρονG2540{N-ASM} ανακαμψαιG344{V-AAN} 16αβνυνG3568{ADV} τσνυνιG3570{ADV} δεG1161{CONJ} κρειττονοςG2909{A-GSF} ορεγονταιG3713{V-PMI-3P} αβτουτG5124{D-NSN} αβεστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} τστουτεστινG5124{D-NSN}G2076{V-PXI-3S} επουρανιουG2032{A-GSF} διοG1352{CONJ} ουκG3756{PRT-N} επαισχυνεταιG1870{V-PNI-3S} αυτουςG846{P-APM} οG3588{T-NSM} θεοςG2316{N-NSM} θεοςG2316{N-NSM} επικαλεισθαιG1941{V-PPN} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} ητοιμασενG2090{V-AAI-3S} γαρG1063{CONJ} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} πολινG4172{N-ASF} 17πιστειG4102{N-DSF} προσενηνοχενG4374{V-2RAI-3S-ATT} αβρααμG11{N-PRI} τονG3588{T-ASM} ισαακG2464{N-PRI} πειραζομενοςG3985{V-PPP-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} τονG3588{T-ASM} μονογενηG3439{A-ASM} προσεφερενG4374{V-IAI-3S} οG3588{T-NSM} ταςG3588{T-APF} επαγγελιαςG1860{N-APF} αναδεξαμενοςG324{V-ADP-NSM} 18προςG4314{PREP} ονG3739{R-ASM} ελαληθηG2980{V-API-3S} οτιG3754{CONJ} ενG1722{PREP} ισαακG2464{N-PRI} κληθησεταιG2564{V-FPI-3S} σοιG4671{P-2DS} σπερμαG4690{N-NSN} 19λογισαμενοςG3049{V-ADP-NSM} οτιG3754{CONJ} καιG2532{CONJ} εκG1537{PREP} νεκρωνG3498{A-GPM} εγειρεινG1453{V-PAN} δυνατοςG1415{A-NSM} οG3588{T-NSM} θεοςG2316{N-NSM} οθενG3606{ADV} αυτονG846{P-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} ενG1722{PREP} παραβοληG3850{N-DSF} εκομισατοG2865{V-AMI-3S} 20πιστειG4102{N-DSF} ακαιG2532{CONJ} περιG4012{PREP} μελλοντωνG3195{V-PAP-GPN} ευλογησενG2127{V-AAI-3S} ισαακG2464{N-PRI} τονG3588{T-ASM} ιακωβG2384{N-PRI} καιG2532{CONJ} τονG3588{T-ASM} ησαυG2269{N-PRI} 21πιστειG4102{N-DSF} ιακωβG2384{N-PRI} αποθνησκωνG599{V-PAP-NSM} εκαστονG1538{A-ASM} τωνG3588{T-GPM} υιωνG5207{N-GPM} ιωσηφG2501{N-PRI} ευλογησενG2127{V-AAI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} προσεκυνησενG4352{V-AAI-3S} επιG1909{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} ακρονG206{N-ASN} τηςG3588{T-GSF} ραβδουG4464{N-GSF} αυτουG846{P-GSM} 22πιστειG4102{N-DSF} ιωσηφG2501{N-PRI} τελευτωνG5053{V-PAP-NSM} περιG4012{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} εξοδουG1841{N-GSF} τωνG3588{T-GPM} υιωνG5207{N-GPM} ισραηλG2474{N-PRI} εμνημονευσενG3421{V-AAI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} περιG4012{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPN} οστεωνG3747{N-GPN} αυτουG846{P-GSM} ενετειλατοG1781{V-ADI-3S} 23πιστειG4102{N-DSF} αβμωυσηςG3475{N-NSM} τσμωσηςG3475{N-NSM} γεννηθειςG1080{V-APP-NSM} εκρυβηG2928{V-2API-3S} τριμηνονG5150{A-ASN} υποG5259{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPM} πατερωνG3962{N-GPM} αυτουG846{P-GSM} διοτιG1360{CONJ} ειδονG1492{V-2AAI-3P} αστειονG791{A-ASN} τοG3588{T-ASN} παιδιονG3813{N-ASN} καιG2532{CONJ} ουκG3756{PRT-N} εφοβηθησανG5399{V-AOI-3P} τοG3588{T-ASN} διαταγμαG1297{N-ASN} τουG3588{T-GSM} βασιλεωςG935{N-GSM} 24πιστειG4102{N-DSF} αβμωυσηςG3475{N-NSM} τσμωσηςG3475{N-NSM} μεγαςG3173{A-NSM} γενομενοςG1096{V-2ADP-NSM} ηρνησατοG720{V-ADI-3S} λεγεσθαιG3004{V-PPN} υιοςG5207{N-NSM} θυγατροςG2364{N-GSF} φαραωG5328{N-PRI} 25μαλλονG3123{ADV} ελομενοςG138{V-2AMP-NSM} συγκακουχεισθαιG4778{V-PNN} τωG3588{T-DSM} λαωG2992{N-DSM} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} ηG2228{PRT} προσκαιρονG4340{A-ASF} εχεινG2192{V-PAN} αμαρτιαςG266{N-GSF} απολαυσινG619{N-ASF} 26μειζοναG3173{A-ASM-C} πλουτονG4149{N-ASM} ηγησαμενοςG2233{V-ADP-NSM} τωνG3588{T-GPM} αβαιγυπτουG125{N-GSF} τσενG1722{PREP} τσαιγυπτωG125{N-DSF} θησαυρωνG2344{N-GPM} τονG3588{T-ASM} ονειδισμονG3680{N-ASM} τουG3588{T-GSM} χριστουG5547{N-GSM} απεβλεπενG578{V-IAI-3S} γαρG1063{CONJ} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} μισθαποδοσιανG3405{N-ASF} 27πιστειG4102{N-DSF} κατελιπενG2641{V-2AAI-3S} αιγυπτονG125{N-ASF} μηG3361{PRT-N} φοβηθειςG5399{V-AOP-NSM} τονG3588{T-ASM} θυμονG2372{N-ASM} τουG3588{T-GSM} βασιλεωςG935{N-GSM} τονG3588{T-ASM} γαρG1063{CONJ} αορατονG517{A-ASM} ωςG5613{ADV} ορωνG3708{V-PAP-NSM} εκαρτερησενG2594{V-AAI-3S} 28πιστειG4102{N-DSF} πεποιηκενG4160{V-RAI-3S} τοG3588{T-ASN} πασχαG3957{ARAM} καιG2532{CONJ} τηνG3588{T-ASF} προσχυσινG4378{N-ASF} τουG3588{T-GSN} αιματοςG129{N-GSN} ιναG2443{CONJ} μηG3361{PRT-N} οG3588{T-NSM} ολοθρευωνG3645{V-PAP-NSM} ταG3588{T-APN} πρωτοτοκαG4416{A-APN} θιγηG2345{V-2AAS-3S} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} 29πιστειG4102{N-DSF} διεβησανG1224{V-2AAI-3P} τηνG3588{T-ASF} ερυθρανG2063{A-ASF} θαλασσανG2281{N-ASF} ωςG5613{ADV} διαG1223{PREP} ξηραςG3584{N-GSF} αγηςG1093{N-GSF} ηςG3739{R-GSF} πειρανG3984{N-ASF} λαβοντεςG2983{V-2AAP-NPM} οιG3588{T-NPM} αιγυπτιοιG124{A-NPM} κατεποθησανG2666{V-API-3P} 30πιστειG4102{N-DSF} ταG3588{T-NPN} τειχηG5038{N-NPN} ιεριχωG2410{N-PRI} αεπεσανG4098{V-2AAI-3P} τσβεπεσενG4098{V-2AAI-3S} κυκλωθενταG2944{V-APP-NPN} επιG1909{PREP} επταG2033{A-NUI} ημεραςG2250{N-APF} 31πιστειG4102{N-DSF} ρααβG4460{N-PRI} ηG3588{T-NSF} πορνηG4204{N-NSF} ουG3756{PRT-N} συναπωλετοG4881{V-2AMI-3S} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} απειθησασινG544{V-AAP-DPM} δεξαμενηG1209{V-ADP-NSF} τουςG3588{T-APM} κατασκοπουςG2685{N-APM} μετG3326{PREP} ειρηνηςG1515{N-GSF} 32καιG2532{CONJ} τιG5101{I-ASN} ετιG2089{ADV} λεγωG3004{V-PAS-1S} επιλειψειG1952{V-FAI-3S} τσβγαρG1063{CONJ} μεG3165{P-1AS} αγαρG1063{CONJ} διηγουμενονG1334{V-PNP-ASM} οG3588{T-NSM} χρονοςG5550{N-NSM} περιG4012{PREP} γεδεωνG1066{N-PRI} βαρακG913{N-PRI} τσβτεG5037{PRT} τσβκαιG2532{CONJ} σαμψωνG4546{N-PRI} τσβκαιG2532{CONJ} ιεφθαεG2422{N-PRI} αβδαυιδG1138{N-PRI} τσδαβιδG1138{N-PRI} τεG5037{PRT} καιG2532{CONJ} σαμουηλG4545{N-PRI} καιG2532{CONJ} τωνG3588{T-GPM} προφητωνG4396{N-GPM} 33οιG3739{R-NPM} διαG1223{PREP} πιστεωςG4102{N-GSF} κατηγωνισαντοG2610{V-ADI-3P} βασιλειαςG932{N-APF} ειργασαντοG2038{V-ADI-3P} δικαιοσυνηνG1343{N-ASF} επετυχονG2013{V-2AAI-2P} επαγγελιωνG1860{N-GPF} εφραξανG5420{V-AAI-3P} στοματαG4750{N-APN} λεοντωνG3023{N-GPM} 34εσβεσανG4570{V-AAI-3P} δυναμινG1411{N-ASF} πυροςG4442{N-GSN} εφυγονG5343{V-2AAI-3P} στοματαG4750{N-APN} αμαχαιρηςG3162{N-GSF} τσβμαχαιραςG3162{N-GSF} αεδυναμωθησανG1412{V-API-3P} τσβενεδυναμωθησανG1743{V-API-3P} αποG575{PREP} ασθενειαςG769{N-GSF} εγενηθησανG1096{V-AOI-3P} ισχυροιG2478{A-NPM} ενG1722{PREP} πολεμωG4171{N-DSM} παρεμβολαςG3925{N-APF} εκλινανG2827{V-AAI-3P} αλλοτριωνG245{A-GPM} 35ελαβονG2983{V-2AAI-3P} γυναικεςG1135{N-NPF} εξG1537{PREP} αναστασεωςG386{N-GSF} τουςG3588{T-APM} νεκρουςG3498{A-APM} αυτωνG846{P-GPF} αλλοιG243{A-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} ετυμπανισθησανG5178{V-API-3P} ουG3756{PRT-N} προσδεξαμενοιG4327{V-ADP-NPM} τηνG3588{T-ASF} απολυτρωσινG629{N-ASF} ιναG2443{CONJ} κρειττονοςG2909{A-GSF} αναστασεωςG386{N-GSF} τυχωσινG5177{V-2AAS-3P} 36ετεροιG2087{A-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} εμπαιγμωνG1701{N-GPM} καιG2532{CONJ} μαστιγωνG3148{N-GPF} πειρανG3984{N-ASF} ελαβονG2983{V-2AAI-3P} ετιG2089{ADV} δεG1161{CONJ} δεσμωνG1199{N-GPM} καιG2532{CONJ} φυλακηςG5438{N-GSF} 37ελιθασθησανG3034{V-API-3P} επρισθησανG4249{V-API-3P} τσβεπειρασθησανG3985{V-API-3P} ενG1722{PREP} φονωG5408{N-DSM} αμαχαιρηςG3162{N-GSF} τσβμαχαιραςG3162{N-GSF} απεθανονG599{V-2AAI-3P} 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Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary
 1   Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.

 4   Here follow some illustrious examples of faith from the Old Testament. Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement from the firstlings of the flock, acknowledging himself a sinner who deserved to die, and only hoping for mercy through the great Sacrifice. Cain's proud rage and enmity against the accepted worshipper of God, led to the awful effects the same principles have produced in every age; the cruel persecution, and even murder of believers. By faith Abel, being dead, yet speaketh; he left an instructive and speaking example. Enoch was translated, or removed, that he should not see death; God took him into heaven, as Christ will do the saints who shall be alive at his second coming. We cannot come to God, unless we believe that he is what he has revealed himself to be in the Scripture. Those who would find God, must seek him with all their heart. Noah's faith influenced his practice; it moved him to prepare an ark. His faith condemned the unbelief of others; and his obedience condemned their contempt and rebellion. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. This shows how believers, being warned of God to flee from the wrath to come, are moved with fear, take refuge in Christ, and become heirs of the righteousness of faith.

 8   We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham's offering up Isaac, Gen 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?

 20   Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. Things present are not the best things; no man knoweth love or hatred by having them or wanting them. Jacob lived by faith, and he died by faith, and in faith. Though the grace of faith is of use always through our whole lives, it is especially so when we come to die. Faith has a great work to do at last, to help the believer to die to the Lord, so as to honour him, by patience, hope, and joy. Joseph was tried by temptations to sin, by persecution for keeping his integrity; and he was tried by honours and power in the court of Pharaoh, yet his faith carried him through. It is a great mercy to be free from wicked laws and edicts; but when we are not so, we must use all lawful means for our security. In this faith of Moses' parents there was a mixture of unbelief, but God was pleased to overlook it. Faith gives strength against the sinful, slavish fear of men; it sets God before the soul, shows the vanity of the creature, and that all must give way to the will and power of God. The pleasures of sin are, and will be, but short; they must end either in speedy repentance or in speedy ruin. The pleasures of this world are for the most part the pleasures of sin; they are always so when we cannot enjoy them without deserting God and his people. Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin; there being more evil in the least sin, than there can be in the greatest suffering. God's people are, and always have been, a reproached people. Christ accounts himself reproached in their reproaches; and thus they become greater riches than the treasures of the richest empire in the world. Moses made his choice when ripe for judgment and enjoyment, able to know what he did, and why he did it. It is needful for persons to be seriously religious; to despise the world, when most capable of relishing and enjoying it. Believers may and ought to have respect to the recompence of reward. By faith we may be fully sure of God's providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us. Such a sight of God will enable believers to keep on to the end, whatever they may meet in the way. It is not owing to our own righteousness, or best performances, that we are saved from the wrath of God; but to the blood of Christ, and his imputed righteousness. True faith makes sin bitter to the soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. All our spiritual privileges on earth, should quicken us in our way to heaven. The Lord will make even Babylon fall before the faith of his people, and when he has some great thing to do for them, he raises up great and strong faith in them. A true believer is desirous, not only to be in covenant with God, but in communion with the people of God; and is willing to fare as they fare. By her works Rahab declared herself to be just. That she was not justified by her works appears plainly; because the work she did was faulty in the manner, and not perfectly good, therefore it could not be answerable to the perfect justice or righteousness of God.

 32   After all our searches into the Scriptures, there is more to be learned from them. We should be pleased to think, how great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith, though the objects of it were not then so fully made known as now. And we should lament that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith is more clear and perfect, the number of believers should be so small, and their faith so weak. It is the excellence of the grace of faith, that, while it helps men to do great things, like Gideon, it keeps from high and great thoughts of themselves. Faith, like Barak's, has recourse unto God in all dangers and difficulties, and then makes grateful returns to God for all mercies and deliverances. By faith, the servants of God shall overcome even the roaring lion that goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The believer's faith endures to the end, and, in dying, gives him victory over death and all his deadly enemies, like Samson. The grace of God often fixes upon very undeserving and ill-deserving persons, to do great things for them and by them. But the grace of faith, wherever it is, will put men upon acknowledging God in all their ways, as Jephthah. It will make men bold and courageous in a good cause. Few ever met with greater trials, few ever showed more lively faith, than David, and he has left a testimony as to the trials and acts of faith, in the book of Psalms, which has been, and ever will be, of great value to the people of God. Those are likely to grow up to be distinguished for faith, who begin betimes, like Samuel, to exercise it. And faith will enable a man to serve God and his generation, in whatever way he may be employed. The interests and powers of kings and kingdoms, are often opposed to God and his people; but God can easily subdue all that set themselves against him. It is a greater honour and happiness to work righteousness than to work miracles. By faith we have comfort of the promises; and by faith we are prepared to wait for the promises, and in due time to receive them. And though we do not hope to have our dead relatives or friends restored to life in this world, yet faith will support under the loss of them, and direct to the hope of a better resurrection. Shall we be most amazed at the wickedness of human nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to fellow-creatures, or at the excellence of Divine grace, that is able to bear up the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry them safely through all? What a difference between God's judgement of a saint, and man's judgment! The world is not worthy of those scorned, persecuted saints, whom their persecutors reckon unworthy to live. They are not worthy of their company, example, counsel, or other benefits. For they know not what a saint is, nor the worth of a saint, nor how to use him; they hate, and drive such away, as they do the offer of Christ and his grace.

 39   The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them. Though the righteous and the worldlings widely differ in their judgment, they agree in this, it is not fit that good men should have their rest in this world. Therefore God receives them out of it. The apostle tells the Hebrews, that God had provided some better things for them, therefore they might be sure that he expected as good things from them. As our advantages, with the better things God has provided for us, are so much beyond theirs, so should our obedience of faith, patience of hope, and labour of love, be greater. And unless we get true faith as these believers had, they will rise up to condemn us at the last day. Let us then pray continually for the increase of our faith, that we may follow these bright examples, and be, with them, at length made perfect in holiness and happiness, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father for evermore.