The persons were of the weaker sex. This hath a particular respect, to a wi∣dow, at Zarephath, 1 King. 17. 23. And to a married wife at Shunen, 2 King. 4. 36, 37. For throughout the whole old Testament we read of no other women, to whom this evidence of Faith can be applyed.
Though these were of the weaker Sex, yet the evidence here given, is the greatest of all. For death is the most irresistable, and irrecoverable that can be. Lions, Fire, Sword, Armies of Enemies are nothing in comparison of death. That which makes those and other like terrible things formidable, is, that they are means to bring men to death. By strength, valour, agility, and quicknes of body, or by wit, warines, and such like properties of the mind, mouths of Lions may be stopped, violence of fire may be quenched, the edge of the sword may be avoi∣ded, Armies of men may be put to flight: but by no strength or wit of man, can any be raised from the dead. Many of the other instances have been found among the Heathen: but this last of being raised from death, was never heard of, but in those that were endued with divine power.
The emphasis of this effect, which makes it to be applyed to Women, resteth up∣on this word, received, which is the proper signification of the Greek word.
Object. It was the Faith of Prophets who raised the dead children, rather than of the women, who received them being raised.
Answ. The women first desired the Prophets to restore their children being dead, which argued their faith; 1 King. 17. 18. 2 King. 4. 30. Had not they believed, and made known their desires to the Prophets, the Prophets would not have attempted to raise them. Nay, we may further say, that if the women had not believed that the Prophets could have restored their Children, the Prophets could not have raised them up. It is said of Christ himself, that in his own Coun∣trey he could do no mighty work, (Mark. 6. 5.) the reason whereof is thus ren∣dred, because of their unbelief. Matth. 13. 58. Christ said to one, who desired the Devill to be cast out of his Son, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark. 9. 23. And it was usuall for him to say to others, be it un∣to you according to your Faith, Matth. 9. 29. And of the woman of Canaan, who importuned him to dispossess her daughter, he said, Oh woman, great is thy faith, Matth. 15. 28. So as faith is manifested in believing, that the dead may be raised, even in those who received that benefit, though they be not themselves Ministers or instruments to raise them.
The Syr•…•…ack translation takes away this amplification of faith by the persons, in turning the words thus, They delivered to women their Sons from the Resurre∣ction of the dead. Thus this relative, they, hath reference to the Prophets that raised the dead, and not to the women that received them being raised. But the original Greek is as our English, and other translations have turned it. Onely in the Greek it is, from, or out of the resurrection; This is an elegant hyperbole. Whereas death had taken away their children, resurrection restored them: for if they had not been raised, their Mothers could not have had them again. Our Eng∣lish hath plainly and fully expressed the meaning of the phrase, by this para∣phrase, raised to life againe.
This phrase, their dead, hath reference to the Sons of the foresaid women, which were raised, and therefore well expressed in the masculine gender.