But how could they die in this faith? It was for this only reason, because they had not received the promises, that is, the things promised. For if they had, they could not have died in faith, but in the enjoyment of things promised. The Doctor therefore has unluckily pitched upon that, as an argument against the possibility of their faith in the Messiah, which is the very reason, why they did die in the faith of him. For the holy Spirit saith, they all died in the faith; and then the reason is added, why they did, namely, because not having received the promises; therefore their not having received the promises, is the reason why they died in the faith of them. And their faith had this foundation, because they had seen the things promised, as afar off, that is, long after their own deaths, and therefore to be fulfilled, or made good in a future life. Consequently, their faith was in a redemption to come in a life after this; which surely may be affirmed to be a true faith in the promised Messiah, or in all that, which had been promised, from the first joyful notice, which God gave of him, _in a seed of the woman to bruise the head of the serpent_. Which in gospel language is called, _destroying the works of the devil_, and bringing all that to life again, which died in _Adam_’s transgression. It is added of these holy men dying in the faith of promises _seen afar off_, that they were _perswaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth; now they that say such things, plainly declare, that they seek a better country, that is, an heavenly_. What an extravagance is it therefore in the learned Doctor, to say, _How should they believe in him of whom they have not heard_; as in the least degree applicable to those saints of the old world? For their faith was in promises made to them, but not fulfilled before their deaths, which they beholding as afar off, died in the fullest faith and expectation of a blessed life and heavenly country in virtue of them. Therefore they believed in that, of which they had heard, they knew what it was that they believed, _namely_, a redemption from all the evil of their pilgrimage on earth, to a life in heaven. Our blessed Lord said to the _Jews, Your father_ Abraham _rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad_. Surely then _Abraham_ had faith in the Messiah, and yet he is numbered by the apostle amongst those, who died not having received the promises. But now, though _Abraham_’s rejoicing at the sight of that day, was a sufficient proof, that his faith was in the Messiah, yet the _implicit_ faith of the more antient, patriarchal world in _that_, which they had not seen, as _Abraham_ had, was as _right_ a faith in the Messiah, as _Abraham_’s was. This point is determined, in the following words of Christ. _Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they, which have not seen, and yet have believed._