(20) By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (21) By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff. (22) By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. (23) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. (24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. (27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (28) Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (29) By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned. (30) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. (31) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
I must call to remembrance the limited design of this humble work, and not indulge myself in entering upon every separate particular in relation to the actions of those illustrious champions of the faith here recorded. But otherwise, I might easily shew how strongly entrenched the Lord had made those ancient followers of the faith, in this leading, and distinguishing article, of living upon Christ. Surely, as Peter said of them, the Spirit of Christ was in them, and in all their acts, both in their public ministry, and private conversation; the two grand features of our Lord's life, and offices, they embraced with an ardor the most animated, namely, of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory which should follow, 1 Peter 1:11. And, both Christ in his Person, and Christ in his ministry, those holy men, by the most lively actings of faith, were living upon, and enjoying familiar communion with. All the Patriarchs, from Abraham to Moses, lived in the daily exercise of faith upon Christ, and his blood-shedding and righteousness. If Moses was hidden by his parents, it was by faith. If, conscious of his Hebrew birth by circumcision, which he could not but know, he refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's daughter; it was by faith. If he esteemed Christ, despised Egypt, kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood; the whole was by faith. All, and every act, became an act of faith, by which the lives and deaths of those blood-bought, royal sons of God, were so distinguished; and for which, the Holy Ghost hath handed down their names with such honorable testimony in the word of God. Hence Jacob, when dying, exulted in the Covenant love, and grace of God in Christ, and cried out: I have waited for thy salvation, 0 Lord. Hence, Joseph, in the hour of death, looked to Canaan, as the sure spot, where Christ in after ages should come; and said, there let my bones be carried. And Moses, in his last farewell to Israel, sung his song concerning Him, my dweller in the bush, Deuteronomy 13:16.