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I. THE FATHERS UNDER THE LAW HAD THE SAME KIND OF FAITH THAT WE HAVE. The same promises; upon the same terms; through the same merit of the blood of Christ.

II. THE APOSTLES ASCRIBE THEIR RENOWN IN THE CHURCH TO THEIR FAITH. Though the private soldiers do worthily in the high places of the field, yet the general bears away the honour, he gets the battle and wins the day; so here, all graces have their use in the holy life, all do worthily in their order and place; love worketh, hope waiteth, patience endureth, zeal sparkleth, and obedience urgeth to duty; but faith bears away the prize, this is the chiefest pin and wheel in the whole frame of salvation. Partly because it is the grace of reception on our part, by which we receive all the influences of heaven, and partly because it directs and quickens all other graces. It feeds hope, it teaches patience to wait, it makes zeal to sparkle, it gives relief to self-denial, and encourageth obedience. Faith is like a silken string, which runs through the chain of pearl; or like the spirits that run with the blood throughout all the veins.

III. THE FAITH OF THE ELDERS WAS AN ACTIVE FAITH, that discovered itself by good fruits and gracious actions; otherwise it could not have brought them into credit with the Church. God only knows the heart. It is actions that discover their faith, and the strength of their assent.

IV. ONE OF THE REWARDS OF AN ACTIVE FAITH IS A GOOD REPORT.

1. For the reasons of God's ordination and appointment. I shall touch upon those that are of a chief regard and consideration.

(1) That every necessary blessing may be adopted and taken into the covenant, and provision made against all inconveniences that may befal us in the way of religion. As the Psalmist saith of Zion (Psalm 48:12, 13).

(2) Because of the great inconveniences of reproach and infamy, either to God and religion itself, or to good men.

(3) That God may retaliate with faith. Believers honour Him, therefore He will honour them (1 Samuel 2:30).

(4) That this may be a bait to draw in others to a liking of His ways.

2. In what manner doth the Lord dispense this privilege? And it is grounded upon an objection, that may be framed thus; the servants of God are often clouded with black reproaches, "They took away the spouse's veil" (Song of Solomon 5:7), that is, her honour and name. David complains (Psalm 22:6). Therefore how doth God give in this recompense to the active faith? I answer, in several propositions.

(1)The blessing is not absolutely complete in this life. As long as there is sin we are liable to shame. A good name is an outward pledge of eternal glory. When sin is abolished then may we expect perfect glory. In a mixed estate we must look for mixed dispensations.

(2) The wicked are not competent judges when they judge of the faithful (Luke 6:26). General applause can seldom be had without compliance, and without some sin; therefore it is spoken as a cursed thing to gratify all, and seek to draw respect from all. There is one rare instance in the third Epistle of John, ver 12.

(3) We have the approbation of their consciences, though not the commendation of their lips; and their hearts approve when their mouths slander; and we have their reverence, though not their praise.

(4) There are some special seasons when God will vindicate His people from contempt. There is a resurrection of names as well as of persons.

3. Whether in the exercise of faith we may eye a good report? is not this vain-glory? I answer in four things.

(1) Our chief care must be to do the duty, and trust God with the blessing; this is the temper of a Christian.

(2) If we expect it as a blessing of the covenant, we must rather look for it from God than from men, expect it as the gift of His grace for our encouragement in the ways of religion.

(3) All the respect that we have to men is by a greater care of duty, to prevent undue surmises and suspicion (2 Corinthians 8:21).

(4) The glory of God and the credit of religion must be at the utmost end of all (Matthew 5:16).Uses:

1. Prize this blessing; it is a sweet encouragement to you in the work of God. I observe that usually men first make shipwreck of a good name, then of a good conscience.

2. Be careful how you prejudice the good name of a believer; you cross God's ordination. How ought you to tremble, when you go about to take off the crown which God hath put on their heads!

3. To press you to this active faith. There is great reason for it upon these grounds.

(1) Because there are so many censures abroad.

(2) Because there are so few good works abroad.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

WEB: Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.