§. 13. Of the testimony which Faith brings.
AS Abel testified a good respect to God, so likewise God testified a good respect to him; For, he obtained witness that he was righteous. The ground hereof was his faith. For this relative, a 1.1 by which, hath reference, not to sacrifice, but to faith: For this is an exemplification of that which was said of the Elders, By faith they obtained a good report: As others, so Abel: As he ob∣tained a good report, so he obtained it by faith. By a true justifying faith, the Believer so applyes Christ unto himself, as he resteth upon him, to be enabled to do that which is acceptable unto God, and therein to be accepted of God.
This faith put him on to offer a more excellent sacrifice than Cain; this faith in Christ moved God to give a gracious testimony of him.
This phrase, b 1.2 he obtained witness, is the interpretation of one Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉, namely, that which is before translated, obtained a good report, v. 2. §. 6.
The testimony, or witness which he obtained, is thus expressed, that he was righteous. Of this word c 1.3 righteous, see Chap. 10. v. 38. §. 144.
By faith he applyed to himself that righteousness of Christ, which made him righ•…•…eous before God: and by the same faith he was put on to endeavour to do s•…•…ch duties of piety towards God, which appertained to him in his place, and withall such duties of justice and mercy, as made him be accounted righteous before men.
This witness of Abel's righteousness was given by God especially; As it was before said of the witness which the Elders received, v. 2. §. 6. so it may be •…•…ere said of this witness which Abel received.
This giveth instance, that even in Gods account men in this world may be r•…•…ghteous. See more hereof, Chap. 10. v. 38. §. 144. This testimony, That he •…•…as righteous, hath an especial respect to his person, and that must be by faith in the Lord Jesus. Thus it is said, that the Lord had respect unto Abel, Gen. 4. 4. namely, unto his person. Nothing can here make us righteous before God, but the righteousness of Christ applyed by faith, 2 Cor. 5. 21.
To set out the foresaid witness more fully, the Apostle addeth this, God te∣stifying of his gifts. Howsoever distinction may be made between sacrifices and gifts, as hath been shewed, Chap. 5. v. 1. §. 7. yet they are also both taken in the same general sense. Sacrifices were brought to God, and offered up to him, •…•…nd in that respect were called gifts: So as God himself doth here witness, that men may give gifts to him. Hereof see
Gods testifying of those gifts, was a manifestation of his accepting thereof: for it is expresly said, that God had respect to his offering.
In two respects are the things which Abel offered to God called gifts.
- 1. In regard of Abel's mind, he brought them in testimony of thankful∣ness.
- 2. In regard of Gods mind, who accepted them as gifts.
The twofold mentioning of witness concerning Abel, hath reference to that double respect that in the Historie of Abel the Lord is said to have. He had respect unto Abel, namely, to his person, and to his offering: this was his gift.
By this witness it appears, that God will have his Children to know his mind towards them, that so they may be the better encouraged to go on in that course which is acceptable to God.