§. 115. Of Joseph and his name.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the Children of Israel, and gave Commandement concerning his bones.
THe eighth instance, of the vigour of Faith here produced, is of Ioseph.
His faith is of the same kind that the faith of the others was.
The name a 1.1 Ioseph, is derived from a verb that signifieth to b 1.2 adde, and this reason is rendred thereof by his Mother, The Lord shall add to me another Son. Gen. 30. 24. His Mother had been long barren; and her sister, who was another wife of Iacob, had many Children, which aggravated her grief for her barrenness: but at length, The Lord remembred her, and hearkned to her, and opened her womb, and gave her this Son. Hereupon, either by a prophetical Spirit, or upon strong confidence, that God would yet give her another Son, she gave this son this name Ioseph.
The name therefore was an evidence of Rachels faith. It fell out, according to her faith; she had another son, though he cost her dearly, even her life.
Ioseph, whose faith is here commended, is worthy due consideration, and that in three especial respects.
- 1. In regard of the Tryalls whereunto he was brought.
- 2. In regard of the Graces wherewith he was endued.
- 3. In regard of the Dignities wherewith he was honoured.
There is not an history of any other, wherein the rare passages of the divine providence are more cleerly manifested, than the history of Ioseph: both in re∣gard