(1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
The Church of God can never be sufficiently thankful to the Holy Ghost, for this most precious Chapter. It forms a compendium of the most blessed things, all leading to Jesus. The ancient fathers of the Church, were accustomed to call it, the book of God's Martyrs. And to be sure, it doth contain some of the most precious things, by which we are led to see, how it was they lived so strong in faith, and died so triumphant in hope, by the grace of God, being made perfect in their weakness. In order to enter into a proper apprehension of the blessedness of that principle of faith, in which they were made so strong by the Lord; before that we look at the effects of it in their lives, and deaths, as here recorded, it may not be amiss to attend a little more closely to the Lord's own account of faith, as stated in those words.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. There is somewhat very striking in this account of faith, as given by the Holy Ghost himself. It is called by him a substance, meaning; that the object the soul resteth on being substantially formed in the mind; and which, so realizeth that object to view, as for the mind to become as perfectly assured of its existence and reality, as though seen. This is faith. And in this sense, it is the substance of things which are at a distance; but as perfectly alive to the soul; as though present to bodily sense. To explain great things by small. I have a child, a friend, a relation, whom I have never seen, and living at a distance from me. But I am continually receiving tokens from him by message, or by letter, both of his existence, and his affection towards me. Now, though I have never seen him, yet I no more doubt of his being and existence, than my own. I therefore substantiate, and realize in my mind, this certainty; and I am actuated by it accordingly. Such, but in an infinitely higher degree, are the great objects of faith, in relation to things supernatural, and unseen. I have received evidences upon evidences; and love tokens multiplied with love tokens from Jesus my Lord. By faith, therefore, I substantiate, and realize all those blessed things concerning Jesus..And it is to me substance. Jesus saith, I will cause them that love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures, Proverbs 8:21. Hence, therefore, as the Apostle saith, in relation to Jesus; Whom having not seen we love; in whom though now we see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls, 1 Peter 1:8-9. It was thus with the Patriarch and holy men of old. Their faith needed not the presence of what they believed in. God's testimony concerning it was enough. It became therefore the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.
One word more concerning faith before we enter upon the blessed history, contained in this glorious Chapter, of the fruits and effects of it. Faith is the gift of God, Philippians 1:29. Christ is the Author and finisher of faith, Hebrews 12:9. Hence it must follow, that what is God's gift is not man's merit; and therefore the glory of faith, in the exercise of his people, is wholly the Lord's. It may perhaps appear strange to some, when I say, that I consider faith as the act of Christ upon my soul, more than my act of dependence upon him. Paul said, and saith with truth, that his life of faith was not his, but the Lord's. Hear his own words. The life (saith he) which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. Mark the expression. Not Paul's life of faith in the Son of God, but the faith of the Son of God, Galatians 2:20. It is not Paul's act upon Christ, but Christ's act upon him. And how is this proved? The life of faith, like any other life, is a life of receiving, not giving. Similar to animal life, which is wholly kept up and preserved, by receiving food, air, strength. These things are received to live upon. They are incomings, not out-goings. The incomings are first received, as the cause. The out-goings are exercised as the effect. Reader! if these things are so, how doth it reduce, and bring low the pride of all our attainments? How forcibly come home the words of the Apostle, For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? 1 Corinthians 4:7