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I I :* ■■*■ i^ ijkts "H^i. v: %: i^ 'H'' ■^K' THE GEiMCTER OF ABBAHAM > CON8IDXKEO Of W FIVE LECTURESV DELIVERED DURIXO LENT, 1868. IS , A. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCfl. ^ ■ , ■ SALVAGE, B02JAVISTA BAY, > NEWTOtTNDLAND, LEV. CHABXES ROCK WEST. ST. ;JOHN's NEWrOUXDLAWl), VRINTED I5Y J. T, BUKTON. 1869. H- ^&^^AJ^%^^hQSi-^i, i t.*v 'i ■ ■ .-!, ■•• '•■; ' '. ^ ,•'* ; ', . i I 1 ' IK ' ■ ■ ,r ., Vl" t '. ' ■ * ■; . * • (■ If ;• ■ ■ • ;■' . • t' r \ ;;■ ■; ■■ '■".■. ■■%■; - . b^. k '■- ■-N- ■• 1 ) ' , ■ ■ ■' ■ : '.■'.. ■ ■ ■ ■ '; ".4 ^- ■'■.-': n raOH WHOSI ~..v. • ( .iAL srnviCM THE AXTTHOB HAS (bt rzEMissro»> — lUBflPBCTFULLT 1M8CE1BBD. * - \s ■^'B ' /: ^ \ PEEFACB. w The follovplng Lectures were originally written for tle- llvery nt tho Wednesday evening services, held nt Sdl* Tngo, diu'ing Lent, 18C8. . Consequently tbey were not intended for publication ; but, as the IVicnds of the Au- thor expressed a wisli to Iiav•• I ' "1 *^IR' ■ ( I ,1 :l. ■ -^ < 1 I. -, ■ « I i VJ Iw4^*h y* >•< ^■ LECTTTHE THE FtHST. n<^<«M« 12 ctiftp. 1 . 2, a. 4, ft, vcrj-oK. " Now tho Lord find Wid oflta Abruiii.Of t lilt p (lilt of Jliy country. nml from tliy klhdrrd, uiul lyom tliy futlicr'rt Ikuim', unto iitandtliiit rwilUhow ttu'c: jin«i 1 will mika oftlipc iiproaf niillon.tind I will Idoi^s tlico, and niiikeihy name great; nnd thou hliidt ho u blessing : and I will UU'xh tlmn tlmt bloxn thc<', and curHC him fitiif no was chosen by God to _. be the rec(fptacle of a more clear and definite dispehsatiolx i-e^pectiug the.Divine Will. From the statement iii Joshua • ii4— 2, some have thought that Abraham himself w;»8.'a wor- shipper of idols in his native country " but that G/Od giving Lim a better t^^iderstandiug, he renounced that kind of wor- ship ;" the text referred to is as follows :-^" And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel : Tour fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time; even T«rah, the father of Abraham^, and thefaOier of Nach^r- ■I 1. ■.v*T-- ej wLioIi I b:ive nil' reo, to sucb a no^v ii, according to tho ycxi from this topio^ I, if blessed by (Jod's • attention andjicisti- il with the ti]6lrject. ne bf the chii^ events before yon us an er- (3 in the patriarch's (osition and circtim- : 1 to.exalt and pftrif^. iticipated tVo chang*' informed in the i7tli lut of «irciimcision, by the altered form .The difference of I *• Al)rjiham '* being ther of elevation or oat ninltitiide or of ange may have been MHeniberthe " holy • nade wi^h him. before he was caUeJ try, we know* noth- lat he wi^s a man of atrous people ; be- ts chosen by God to ef^nite dispensation itutemeut iii Joshua himself w;)8.a wor- >ut that G/Od giving i that ^ind of wor- — " And Joshua said jod of Israel : Your flood in old time, lie f atlier of Kach^r - S zu- CHARACTKK OP ABE AH AM. pnd fftey served other Gods." but whether the word "thcyV inelndcs Abraham or not, we need scarcely . enquire. It is sufficient for our purpose to know that Abraham was chosen by God himself to be the founder of that race and family from which our Hle.^sed Lord, in "the fulness of time jl^ould derive his mortal nature ; and without enquiring iatll^'Lbra- : ham's early days, conceruiug whiyh the scriptures are silent^ we shall do well to reflecton his implicit* obedience and- wbn- , derful faith wben receiving the first intimation of the Aln^igh- ty's will. The command "get thee out of thy country, and frrtm thy kindred, and from thy father's house*' wj^s truly a require- ment qf no ordinary nature : and wueither we suppose;, as som6 people do, that it was not made suddenly, and .without 'some previous announcement, by which Abraham was " well convinced of the authority which commanded him to under- take, that journey," or whether we incline to the opinion that ■ he obeyed on the very first injunction so to do, without any consideration whatever, we cannot fail to perceive that his faith in God and his prompt obedience are brilliant and strik- ing traits in his character which shine forth before the world w.ithout a hiiman parallel ! Which of you, my brethren, would be so entirely uninfluenced by worldly considerations in tha performance of a command like this p Surely thei*e were many strong, eattkhj ^easona which, if indulged, might have kept back the patiriarch from undertaking such a long and troublesome journey ! He was not,' remember, a needy adven- turer, ready to grasp at any chance which might tend to im- prove his circums'tances. Evidently he was possessed of wealth and surrounded plenteojpsly by earthly comforls. Doubtless he lived happily and peaceably with his j-elatives and neigh- bours. His domestic life uriqUtstionably was seriene and free from distracting cares. Neither could curiosity, or a ' deniib to ijravel and see the world, have had ui^y charms at his time of life, for we read that " he was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran"; and, although men lived then to an infinitely longer age than is n©w permitted them ;; yet, a man so far advanced towards a century would ■,■■■:■ m- •Jl^fil^p 1, 10 tECTUBSS ON TUC be likelj, according to nature, to deaire a pt>rmament dwell* ing place, especially when there existed no actual necessity tor living an ansettled life. In short, while many earthly consid- erations might have prevented Abi*aham from qoiting '• Ut o£ the Chaldees," had ho been what in our day is teroJed " a worldly-minded man " ; nothing, bttt the fear of God, and a desire to serve and please Him, could have induced the patri. arch to seek, his home in a land of which he knew little or no- thing, beyond what was contained in Qod^a command to ao ■ thither.-. ' ; .■■•■., ■".-". :^ /■- ■ :" ■■■ ":. Agaih; the encoui'agements offered to Abraham, as an in- dncetoent to undertake this journey, were not exactly the kind which would influence a mere seiesh and sordid man. What weight, for instance, would there be in the simply assurance "I will make of thee " (after tihy death, that is t>say) "a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy namegreat ; and thou Shalt be a blessing : and I will bless theui that bles> thee, and curse him that curseth thee : and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed ?" Such promises, correctly understood, would scarcely attract that maii whoso sole aim in life is personal comfort and convenience. Had Abraham regarded the pleasures of this life as- chiefly conducive to per- sonal happiness he would have soiight for something more tangible than promises of fame and gloiy to his posterity and a name that ^ould survive his decease.. He would have de- sired some great compensation— 3ome advantages proportion- ate to the sacrifice of his ease and temporal comforts. In Bhort, some earthly reward which he might enjoy in his owa Ufe time, apart from the honor to be conferred on his deecen- dante. ' Moreover, the very promises which induced Abraham to comply with the divine command; depended, for their fulfil- ment, on a domestic bond which was hwking at the time they -vfere made ; nor was there any probab>lity, humanly speaking %at It would ever be supplied. How, then, %re these premi- ss to be reaUzed by the posterity of him who was childless ? low oould " aU famUies ol the earth » be blessed in him wh» I > CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM. II i(>rmam€)nt dwell* idual necessity tor ny eartblf consid* in qaiting •• Ur o£ lay is tertiied "a ear of God, and a iidaoed tlie patri* knew little or no> 9 command to go braham, as an in* t exactly tbe kind did man. What simply assurance lat 18 i&a^y) "a thy name great ; s theui that bles> in thee shall all )mi3es,' correctly i -whose sole aim Had Abraham conducive to per- something more his posterity and wduld hare de* ages pro portioh- •al comforjts. In snjoy in his own, ;d, on his deec^- sd Abraham to , for their fulfil' at the time thej iimanly speaking lere these promt- o was childless ? !8sed in him wh* was without the prospect of progeny P To an earthly reasoner such things would not only have been regarded as improbable, but actually impossible ; yet no difficulty appeared to arise in the mind of Abraham. He was ready and willing to go at God's c»mmand without asking for proof e that the promises woul I be frtlfiUed. And here it is that his great and wonder- till i^fith Vmaaifcts itself so ill'^triously, which, connected with bis cheerful obedience, renders him such a noble exam- pie to Christians in every walk of life ; St. Paul, in reference to these poiptd in Abraham's character, says, "by faith Abra- ham, whjj^e was called 'to go out into a place which he Bhould^fter receive for an inheritance, obeyed ; and he went out/notkuowing whither he went" (Heb; 11— 8). Otis not, I conceiye,w straining the subject to ^pnjecture ^ome difficulties and temptations to which, ibraham may have been exposed, before setting out, by the opposition of . his ueigh bours and acqitaintanee. It is true the sacred narra- tive does not mention nor even hint such thiiigs : yet, from the yery natimjof the case, I thiuk we are at liberty to sup- pose, that AWham conld scarcely depart from his native CountryHwithout being subjected to many remarks and ques- tions as to his reason for so doing. No 'doubt there were peo- ple in his day; as in oukfever rea.dy to discuss their neigh- bours' affairs and oflfer advice thereupon ; and it is oply rea- sonable to assume that there wou^d be many, with whom Abraham was acquainted, who could neither understiwcl nor appreciate his motives for quitting their neigbbburhood and society : and from such he was not likely to meet with either encouragement or sympathy, but the reverse. Nor is it alto- gether improbable, that Abraham had some trouble in per- suading his own wife even, as to the propriety of the step ho •was about to take. Nay, if #6 may judge from the di9|)Osition, ' she manifested, on a subsequsiit occasion, wh«n God assured Abraham that she should become a mother, (Gen. 18— 12 &c.) we may perhaps conclude that Abraham had to contend -with some opposition from her; and, if so, who caii tell what an amount of trouble and anxiety he expenouced within fcbe limits of even his own household! "^ : . « "'- ■*■ \ ■/■■ 3S1 ^' 12 tEPTUUKS "OV TITK . ^: We cannot, of coiuMo, detemiiao what motive may have induced Abraliam's hepliew, Lot, tojuin him in the enterprise. We read simply tbiit " Lot went with hiiu "; but how far thiswusdueto hiauncVH.pLM-^u.Hioii. ui- hij own natural affection and iucliuatioh, we cannot pretend to say. On re- flection, however, it BCems sciuvoly probiblc that Lot'conaent. ed to accompany his uncle without some advice, and, perhaps, argument on the part of Abraham ; in which case, wo must admire bid earnestnoaa, us we cannot help noticing his perse. verauco, amid-st such pbitacles as I have imagined : the exact I mlure of which we have not been permitted indeed to know ; though, as 1 before remarked, 1 see i/o reason why, in study- ing^ the character of Ab»aham, we should refrain from sup. posing that he met with some. " feut it is now time I should gather, and set before you, some practical fea^ojts from the,«ubjeet, sofaras it haa been consid- ered, which may tend to instruct and edify yoiv In the first place, my brethren, I would have you bear in. mind that there can be no real ploty without earned faith, eowhined with a cheerful obedience to God's commands. St. Paul tells Hs in Heb. 11— 8. that " without faith it is in.possi- ble t6 please him ;" hence it follows, that he who would daily ' walk with God must exercise a rejularand constant faith amidst all circUmstanceS-pertaiuing to the present life. You must never lose sigbt of this requirement : it isthevery es- sence of tnie religion. Like Abraham you must be coiitent to believe ttat God designs your well-being although your natural inclinations suggest otherwise. When exposed^ to those daily triids, which are sent to perfect our faith aijd pa- .€ience,you must pray for the inflaence of the Holy Spirjt that you may be enabled to stand securely against those faithless and God-dishonouring suggestions of the devil, by meana of which the confidence: of too many professing christians is shaken and overcome. Bei'lect often on the numljcrlesa bless- ings already received, and the wonderful eoconragemente gii-ten y^pu to trust in G > I ! Let past exporieace be brou.'ht forwar«rto prove this— not an experience of days or mouths merely-^bat of years upoja years of never-taainff mercieg ■i ■ ■J S'-Jftd.^k *t CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM. 18 i • i h ■ :and paternal lovy ! Tliis will prove that, in rculi^y, yon liavei more cunsecvcn tliun Abrabtua to exercise a lively fuitb. A3 fat as we can perceive bo had no sucli experience to (;;uide "and encourage bini ; because it ia doubtful wbetber bia know- ledge of God's will, previous ta bi* being culled to quit bi.^ na- ttv(S>Rind, was sufficiently clear to enable biuj viybtly to coua- piebend tbo dealings of Almigbty provillence in relation to his former life. How difrereut, b»wever,isit wltb ourselves ! From infancy we bavc known souietb'ng of God, and sinco tben bave bad daily reasons for believing, trusting and, obey , jingHim.'' .;, ■..•/.■;.■•' .''■, . Obedience, indeed, depends upon a rigbt and proper : faith for its perfection. Only let a man bave faitb in all its ful- ness — t'aitbin its beautiful simplicity— and bo will, like Abra- liam, readily obey all tbe commands qf God. In tbort, true /aitb and obedience are inseparuible. Tbe one cannot properly exist without the other. When hotli are manifested we leara tiO love Godin sincerity and serve Him froni pure motives. . Then we urer^ady and willing to obey the command because we have confidence In the commander^ Secondly: You must remember that fnte re%ion refjfuires «oMe aacrifices. You can never serve God rightly while you .are willing to retain your own natural wishes and prppeusi- ties. Abraham had to leav» tlie land of his nativity and so, also, must you leave that state in which, by nature, yi>u were born into the world. Abraham gave, up all bis pros- pects of earthly advancenient amongst" his idolatrous neigb- bour8,and was content with whatever divine providence might i prescribe ; and you must be willing to forego every thought *)£ worldly glory and honour which would hinder you from peeking eter^ promises, or make ypu dissatisfied with God's appointments. Pleasurable and attractive as earthly joyg. may appear, all that interfere with your souls' everla>tirig in- terests must be eaorificed. As Abraham was not pei'mittcJ to find a home in '• Ur of tbe Cbuluces "neither may you seeTc one, in "the vacity of this sinful world." The comuiaudiij *love not the world, neither tbe things that arc in the world. m \ u -t / ■ lu^CTUttRR ox THE M: If ony man love tlie world, the !ave of the Father is not in liim." (Iflt John 52^15.) and there is reason in this. Jdstas God had far better things in store for Abraham than any he possessed : soGfod, through Christ, has "prepared for the^ that love Hin^, such good things as pass man's under&tand- ing ;" and to love earthly things better than hoavenly iis not only to slight the love of God, but also to refuse all prospect of solid bappinesSi .» Think it then, 1&tethren,yonr greatest privilege yhtSn you are called uppn to sacriHce anything earthly for the sake of Him who offers you an eternal reward— a. reward which He haf purchased at aprlcefar beyond all mortal calculatiou, the price ojf his own atoning blood ! "^^^^ TLJrdly: Tnie rdigion denmnds energy and pin-severance.^ The Christian is to be fdr removed from that feeling of weak- ness which is influehded by the bad example and opposition of the Wortd. You must not aUow the evil, by which you may be surrounded, to make ypu careless and slothful in reference to the duties of religion. If Abraham had been exercised by theiufluencG of that idolatry, which existed in his native country |; or if he had been wanting in energy and persever- ance, ^oubtless he would have remained in his own land* But he eiurmounted every obstacle and strove against all op- positioij, and you, my brethren, must " go and do likevirise,'* if you l^pe to gain " the promised land," Tour lives most be earnest, active, regular and perserering. *' Onward and upward !" must be the Christian's daily inottc. If you iillow yourselves to be swayed by the arguments of the wicked md foolish ; or if you are easily hindered, and turned aside, f i om the right path, by difficulties and diacouragementa of any 1 ind ; you will run the christian ra.ce in vain. Listen to no argument but the constraining love of Jesus. Be inflijeaced byno advice but the Word of God. Heed no «aU but that of the Saviour, whose voice of sweetest melodj iaeveriaoe heard, by the waUag ear, ui>repd*vvjrfal, mjre -4 ■J , r' w-.- »» t ■ Faiber is not in n this. Jdstaci am than any he iparcJ for the^ iQ*8 under&tand- hoavenlj ia not ise all prospect ilege yh6n you for the sake of ward which He tcidculutioji, the i perseverance.^-' 'eoling of weak- id oppositiou of which you may iful in reference sn exercised by I in hiis native 'and persever- his own landi - against all op. i do likewise,'* f «lBABilCTEB PF ABBARAM. \ 15 thrilling an^toore attractive than all the glitteriWg toys of earth— that voice which ever ia saying to the chrilstian, " fol^ low me." " Jeans calls us. o'er the tumult Of onr life's wild rcstlesa sea. ^ Day by diiy Hi-t »iwect voice sonndeth. Saying, " Ohiidfc»"^n, follow me." Jesus cults us^By thy mercies), Saviour, may we heur thy cjill. Give our hearts to thv oboUience, "-^ Serve and love Thee, beat of all;'* \ HP nd perserering* I's daily motto* guments of the ed,'and turned dcouragemeuta vain. ■ /.■ love of Jesns* od. Heed no eetest melodj .•« I ti. LEGTUBE THE SEGOm Havino considered the character oif Abraham' in reference to .h,9 prompt obedienc6. to God's command, we now . come to^enquire ho«r it fared with him after he arrived in tho land orCanaan. The scriptural narrative hero is soremdrka- • We. Snd 80 different from what we should naturally expect, that 8.n,e little surprise at the stateAent, is not to be won- dered at A casual reader will scarcely be prepared to expect Buchstatementsaa are contained in the above verses So far from supposing that' Abraham would so soon meet with nd- Terse^circHmst{.nees. and have to quit for a time, the land for - which be hjd forsaken.all ; one would natnmlly imagine that 110^ would have experienced some earthly proofs that he had not served his " God f or nought.'^ , "*, na<| Again : so far from supposing that lie wl,o manifested such wonderful fa,th m the greatest matters, should evince an ac- tnalwealcness in reference to an imag^na,^ evil, we shonld ra. tlier bok for such a disposition of firmnsss and dignity in Abraham m would render him far abijvB the influence of mi iior tnals. And yet what are the facts before us P Abraham after surpiounting every pb.tacle, great and small, in order that he might enter the promised land ;-after leaving his na- tbralhome where, it may be assumed, he dwelt in happiness aiidplenty ;-sifter a longand tedious jonroey.-enters,indeed. the land of Oioaan. but dwells there o,ay a« a « 'CHABACTGR OF ABIi;A,UA.M. 17 verse, God " gavo him liono iulici-jtanco la it, uo, uofc bo much as to set his foot on : yot ho pramiscd that ho wouhl Rivis it to him for a posscssiou, au J to his sood after him, when aa. yet ho had no xjhild." Still further. Abraham on his arrival was not only without a jinraonal possesaion in the land ; but ^03, moreover, aotually obllgod to huos itai/ain to save hin /very existence ; for wo read '' there was a famine in the land,' / and yet ho remained faithful as regards the promise of his God ! We do not even read tliat ho wa^ surprised at the cir* cumstances in which ho was pWcod, much less that ho was . disappointed. Hero, then, wc see the faith of Ab*-ahai:|| to ad- vantage, — here we must admii-o his patience and courage. But this is only owe par^ of the present subject,— another fact is before us : — ^ono quito as romiirkablc and surprising* as the othei*, though totally different in its' nature. Abraham, the father of the faithful," shows a weakness ! Ho who in the greatest trials was enabled to overcome them " nothing doubting,." yet gives way to fcara, in relation to his domestic happiness '.—He who expi'cssedno surprise nor dissatisfaction At having to go " down into Egypt to sojonrn there " never- theless manifests anxious fears lest his life should fall a sacri- fice to his wife's personal attractions ! .:-■■.■ ,' : ■ The anomaly is so extraordinary that our boat consideration of the whle matter will, perhaps, be in observing the tt^o fol- lowing points : — . First :-— Abraham's faith severely tried, found eqiial to the trial. Secondly :— Abraham's faith sCfij-ceZj/ fnerf found ith- f^uar to the trial; t'rom the study of this apparent paradox I trust yon will gather much instruction. While I would urge you to culti- v.itc all such virtues as arise from tvrtat and confidence in' God, in relation to affair,^ ot mJig^itudo and importance ; I would caution you against permitting the trifles, alrfjk lesser trials of this life, toj^ect youT religious courage anl^P sere- nity of your minds. In turning to.the first point, or division of the subject, we cannot fail to did^covcv that Abraham's faith was sevetcly /a /tl s H i ! 'Ir •.'^iy^'wiwf\^''v^ .i '^ 18 LBCTURCS ON TUB - tned. In short God'adiHponsationB, from the time tho patri- arch was called upon to leave the Und of bis birth, until thtf circumstances named in the reraoii under consideration, wero ■- ■«<*"» to t«8t.»ostsearchingIy. the confidence of Abraham w Almighty wisdom and goodness. One short year had bare- ly eUpsed. after Abr^am had loft his home at God's com- mand, e'er he was maa«^eel tho wants and jUnchoa which famine, and jts attendant erils, entail upon mankind » What ^strange proof, argues the unbeliever, of the lOve of God to- -Jrards the man who manifested such wonderful faith and love toward Him f What poor encouragement to such impUcit confidence ! These ideas might appear to have sqme weight. If It could be shown that God intended to reward Abraham in His hfo time, for his untiring devotion and self-denial ; but we must bear constantly in mind that God's purposes, in His manifold deaUngs with this patriarch, were, not to reward him mth earthly and perishable honors, but so to discipline his Me on earth that be might long all tho more for those gloiious and eternal blessings which Heaven alone can confer. I Had it been otherwise, had Abraham looked " only for tran- *itreparcwant inastrange land, aggravated by the thouglits of home and plenty ! The sad and affecting reflection of the " prodigal son "— '* How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger I" (Luke 16 c. 17 v.) comes strikingly to our minds at the idea. In his case, however, it was through lust and extravagancy thathefoitthe sharp sting of famine; and he had, moreover, a home to whicli ho could return, and which it was bis wis- dom to seek. But Abraham could not look hsuik with a long- ing eye, and with a desire to return from whence he came, • without sacrificing his eternal welfare and injuring his faith. He was obliged to remain a stranger in a strange land. His only resource for sustaining life being actuaUy dependant >^ on his undertaking another journey, (not. a homeward one cheered by pleasing thoughts arid anticipations,)— a toikM>me JOTrn^y iri^ i¬ftcr «odo J and that amidst such a .erics of heavy t^^Jio: ^UoxorcBed a firm, nnwavcring faith. Hadit bL other' ^80 "tho journey buck, to tho land h6 had left was not so Wor perilous that he could not Jfce 1 is e^ ^ -ould have been no more difiicult or fcerous for him to that bt r''""''"'^ Th- "owa ••lum ^;V '"^ *" a sojourner and a stranger in the and of Cuuaau was volufltary. Ho preferred it. with m ''^:^''^'^'^'!!'''^'^^' toa rcturntobis „ativ ' all ro, •- ? '""'' *^'°* '' *^"^' ^° '' «P'"t«al sense, of ''in/tl^'TT"'''""'''^"^«l^"'«""«' there is noth- 4hJ!^'\ T^'"'- '^^^•'^ "*•« opportunities enou..h Thfiro are abundanf inducements held out. There are num erous gay and worldly people who weul^gard t as a rnat ana folly. There is nothing more voluntary than reli-ion • It IS Hi^-. better part" which all may Lure, i^h^ choose, OiP^ft»«.n«if nflP »„,! .- .- ' ** ''"^Z tioU. Scyerely, foldcircum From this the trying of ,^♦*?.> ' ir rof Ab^bam was tested, by mani- ehat h^^ quite equal to the trial. % trutaP^Vt St. James asserts \ r~ .'" worhetk patience " (James 1 c 3 v > WomfolT TT" ''^^^<^ ^orketh patience- tilnc V L iT"^ '"' dosireto possess faith and pa- S^3. ?'''''"""''' ''^ AbnUiam, bo exerci^d We no^ come to consider the . econd part of th e suljcct, v'-"' I ■. AURAHAli; it generally. VV^c liavcfBct'ii Abialmiu'H faifli Kcin'clijtiialfvntnl r>!J!iiimllo llio iritil; lot iih now lohoUl llio rtvcm' »>f thin,. imnicly, Abruluw^H J'nUh mCuvcvIh IrUd J'vttiul nrnqml hjhe tnal. :■■. r^- " ■■ ' - ■ '..::■■■''■.■'■■■'•''■ ' . . . * * How passing RtvnnK« it. appcuvB. ut fifBt BiKbt, to vemork _ tbat ono who could, and did. [.rovo hiuisclf bo firm and rcHO- Into nuilor bCavy tomp*at ions ; Bhould, in n matter bo com- parativoly trifling as his fears roHpocting douicetic peace and bappincsa, when abimt to uojouru in Egjpt. Ioho oonCdoaco inCjodI Did Abraham tbiuk tbuttbo Almighty, who bfid fiustaincd and comforted blm tbrougb bo many diflicultics, ■wo,uldlcavo bim andbiswifo to become the victims of the licentious Egyptian people ? Gould be possibly have forgot- to» God's promises and assurances relative to bis posterity P. If not, bow could bo imagine that bis lifo would be sacrificed, 'iinless bis partner should consent t*) represent bcrself us bis sister P Truly there was a mortal weakness berc ! For tbo 'first time wo ^'ca^drf ^'^^'^ '** the mind of Abraham- Ho Who IsbowcddMljii coiiuacnco in God, as to trust b is life to appur- "cnt unccrtainiies Of u continuous nature, now pleads earnest- ly with bis own wife, to disguise from the Egyptians the fact tbat that she bore sucb a relation to bim. And this bo doea yihilo only supposing that B\\ch a stop iiii/jhtbe veccssanj. So over-anxious does be appear in this matter tbat be even urges tbe point witb wofds of extreme oarncstucss ; " say, I pray thee, thou art my sister : tbat it m^ bo well witu mc for thy sake i and my soul shall live because of thee," Now before proceedinpf to account for this weakness on the part of Abrubam, it will be necessary for me to show yoo, my brethren, that tbe patriarch was not altogether guilty of falsehood, as some have supposed, in asking bis wife to change tbe na;me of the actual pcsitipn in -wbich she stood to him; "VVc must remember tlnit " in the infancy of the human race, "t he rc latiocs of life w ere s o f ew iind ^o ve r y intimate, that 1 ^, •'» ft *•> liKCTCKES ON THE to It was then next to an impossibility for tbo ncajest in blood not to^.ntormarry." We must bear in mind that Abraham . hved befoixj the delivery of ai,y definite code of laws respect- mg marriage ; that is to say before the Levi tical law com- - menccd. It seems, also, to have been the custom of the Ho. br6w families in later times to use the term " sister " to de- note not only that particular relation, but also a wife or a companion; thus St. Paul, in 1 Cor. 9th chap, 6tU . verseasks whether it wis n»t lawful for him " to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as- the other apostles j" meaning of course, by the term sister a Christian female companion. ' ■ Nor was the case under consideration, the only.time when Abrahato (who seems to have been particularly fearful con- cer5inghi8wife)wa8ledto apply the same term to Sarah . forwerijadii. the 2Qth chapter of Genesis, that when he sojourned inGerar, he asserted to Abimelech, the King of that BthefaU." From Abraham's a,p]^arent weakness, in the matter before us, wcmay leai'n that even the best of me u are far from perfect ; and this very frailty iu the character of the patri- arch has, perhaps, been recorded for the purpose of teaching ,us that howevei- far ^idvuncrcd a man may. by God's . grace, .become in true faith and hdliness'; he still will have mucli >rc to learn ; many , virtue^ to cultivate ; arid many that wJ.\l^J\ 24 LECTURES 'run Lave been cultivated, in some degree, need to be tooro firmly established, strengthened and settled. But the considera- tion of this subject will, also, further teach the necessity of seeking advice and protection from God, in all the various circumstances of the present life; whether they be great or small, simple or difficult. The encouragement recommended by St. Peter, iu his first Epistle 5th chapter 7th vfikse,— " casting aWyour care upon him ; for he careth for you"—. isjust as applicnble to those little daily anxieties which beset ti» in our worldly affairs, as in relation to more important matters; because it is evident we do not carry out tlie in- junction if wc keep back anything that disturbs our peace, fi-om Him who, for our sake, on earth experienced all the troubles of life ; and who also, for our sake became "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." To cast, therefore, all our cares upon Jesus is to seek Him at all times : propos- , ing no plans, performing no actions, without first seeking His divine aid through the Holy Spirit. And whenever we arc exercised by thoughts and circumstances which con- science tells us may not be carried to the throne of grace, to seek a blessing on them; wo ought to perceive, at once, that they are sinful affairs, and, should forthwith he cast aside. AH our concerns, whether of great or 'small degree, that are lawful and honest, wo may, and should, commend to the notice of our Hoavonly Father, with all earnestness and faith. By so doing we shall avoid all unlawful expedicnts.v and preserve our confidence towaj-ds God from being molest- ed, and fatally assaulted, by our great enemy the Devil; who, 'ike a skilful warrior, is always looking out for the wcak- estpoiut on which to direct his attack. , Such, my brethren, are somo of the lessons which this event in Abraham s history ia desijjned to tcaclj. May you ",rc id, murk, loarn and inwardly digest tJi-Snii that by pa- tteuce, and comfort " otthU, va well as every other part 'of Gpd'fS^'holy woi-l ." you -may embrace, an i ever hold fast the ble3s«rl hope of everListiiig life," which God iias "given U3 iuoui' Saviour JeiUsOhrist." ^^ °: ; .M l^,' LECTURIJ THE THIRD, inp. 5,0,7, 8, 9 verses, - which wont Avilh Ahram^ hnd ilocks, nnd herds, i I *i""*: ^1'.?'* .""* "'*'*' *° bear them, that they nillfht OmeMs 13^ " And Lj ^*®!! !fi^?^l . *!.'*'^P"'^'**""^'« ^^"^ Rrciit, »o that they could hot 4u 1?1^^ '^I\* ^'''"■?^^'"* a stnfe between the herdinen of ■^^™J"^<'*^P.»"«**''e,J'?«!n»f'MofL<>t'>' cattle: And the Cannanlte and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Ahrum Haid unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I nray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy heidmen ; for we he brethren. Is not the whole hmd before thee 5" separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: Ifthou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the nght hand, then I will go to the left." ■ As luy iutentiou in thege lectures is not to write a history of Abraham, I shall not, therefore, pause to consider ersn/ part of tbe sacred narrative— not, however, because it would bo uninteresting or uuinstructive to do so, but solely because such consideriition would swell my remarks beyond the limit I have set apart for them. Ton will therefore pei-Ccrive that the srbjectttf the present discourse is a little in advance of those events which formed the , basis of my last week's lec- ture. We there left Abraham preparing to go "down into Egypt" undir vei-y trying and gloomy circumstanced ; but, at the commencement of this chapter, we read that," Abram .wentupput of Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had imdLot with him, into the south. And Abi-am was very " rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." Here, then, we may see that it pleaded the Almighty by the direction of His Pro- vidence, to bless A.braham iji temporal things ; after he had willingly and cheerfully submitted himself to trying dispen- Bations. He had so faithfully nnd patiently conducted him- self under heavy trials and reverses of fortune, that God novr\ gave him a proof that he was not expected and required alioaya to suffer p|4vatidu8 and losses. And this will serve to show us that obo^Uence to Divine comqiand'' will surely bring its own reward, even in this life ; thodgh, liKe Abraham, we diouldnot look for it; but be content with whatever posi- Hju nUkiy be assigned to us here below\^ Still, how true it / ft « i . I ■■ '{ tMCtXrUM OV TBS is that no man beoome* tbe poorer, in the end, for 'the Mwrifi* oes he maj make to religion I "Them that honour me I will ihononr" it an asaoranoe and encoaragement which may be ' well relied npon. We see it exemplified in At>raham. Meek- ly bowing to the dispensations of an all-wise Ood he^ent into Egypt to save himself and his household from starvaf tion; and, in aboilt iwio.years time, we behold him returning in a flourishing ' and Wealthy condition ! Truly "the w<^rkf of the Lord aro grait, sought out of all them that have plea* •ure therein." (Ps, 111. 2nd ▼.) Having previoady contemplated Abraham^s disposition nn* der adverse circumstances ; let at now direct our pitteation to hU conduct in prosperity. Whila his temporal proapeocs ap- peared gloomy we saw that hii behaviour was pMiseworthy : we shall now have to notice what eflfect wealth and abundance , had upon him. It is a lamsntable fact tMU, geuerally speak- ing, any sudden change of fortune, from poverty and obscuri- ty to wealth and iinportance, has a bad effect upon men. They are apt to be as much Uftei up in their dispositions as they are in their means. Many a man, who in poverty was hum* We and meek enough; ha? become, by suddenly acquired wealth, proud, Imperious and overbearing :. nor does it always tfiqxure great eiequinlumn to effect an alteration of tjjis nature in a man's general behaviour. Some peJbple are wonderfully ■don " puffed np ** BSr'the slightest addition to their means or alteration in their circumstances : their whole {appearance and deportment will he changed; they will endeavour to make the ntmost of themselves before other people ; and you will hear, from the lips of such person^ all kinds of petty boast- ing which is always disgusting to properly constituted minds. How often, too, it happen? that when people have beeerbless- ed in temporal things that they become dissatisfied, grasping and covetous. Instead of being contented and thankful with What they have, they will be more and more eager to possess • stil! grealerabundance; not caringr of tentimef, what mean* iM used fbr that purpose. , Ib tha atndy of Abraham's ehazafcter W* shall find aoihiaff V I IM ^ OHABAOWB OV ABmAllAV. If whaterer of this kind, but the rvrene. Th« spirit manifest* ed by him, in relation to hi« nephew L^t is worthy of attea* ,f|ton and admiration. Lot had amassed considerable sab* stance, as well as Abraham, and we read that he was possess* •d n, ii desire itc thcia* habitants of that land— the Oanaanite and the Perizzite — for reproaching and reflecting upon the behaviour of those who professed a holier religion thiin those idolaters. Doubtless those people would have rejoiced at any quaiTcl between Abruham and Lot, and Would have been only too glud to takf advantage of it to the injury of the patriarch and bis nephew. It would be well, my breturea, if christiaui in the present day would be .as prudent in thuir general conduct and reflect upon the iuflnonce their behaviour may have on those around : them. If persons "professing goJline39,"would only consid- er how ready their less scrnpnious neighbours are to reflect on their conduct, when it appears at all inconsistent, and how the godless aiwiyj ex .lib whan theychtnco to witness anything like enmity or varLince between professing chi'is- tianu; many a quarrel would be avoile J and many a di.iputd amicably settled. If peOple would only briag their religious principles more into, pi-actice in their ordinal'y dealingj be*, iween man'and mai^; chriatian society would become far r6nJirmoniou8 ttn(^ agreeable; T'he injunction of St. Pani-^ "In Philippians ^nd^i;hifip. 14th verse — 'do allthinja without murmurings and di^^tings "— ia not suffl Jiently heeded w the present day. JSWther do people, generally, reflect on Solomon's assertion Itna advice in Pcoverbs 17 c. 14 v.—" the beginning of strife is as when one |etteth out water : there- fore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." . ; ' The affectionate disposition of Abraham towards Lot, is not only to be seen in his kindly offer respecting^ the division of the land ; but also (and in a very eminent degree) in the next chapter ; where we read tHat in consequence of a War' brcakin;^ out amongst the kings of tbe neighbouring cities, -^four kings against fiVe^Lot and his family fell into the hands of the conquerors," and when Abram 'heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in bis own house, three hundred an^ eighteen, and pur- sued them"— that is, tho.ie who had carried off Lot.— We are tbeii informed of Abraham's swecoss, and that he *' brought b.ick" not only " sill tbe good-v " bnt Lot aliO and all his h o usehold. (Geaesia 1.4 c. U, 15, I p v . ). No stro n ger proof UOrmtlB 09 TBI ' of Ml regard for Lot ooald be given than tbit. Abt». bam, at mach inconvenience und greut risk, acts the part of • trae friend in time of need. Thia shows that he was not * •elfish man, bat that he had the interest of his relative at heart. Had Lot been his own son. he could not have shown greater affection for him ; iior oonld he have numifested 00*0 brave and noble conduct. It ironld be well if %X1 persons who are connected by tbo ties of actual relationship could be found to exercise siiuilair proofs of kindness and good- will in times of necessity or difllcultj. The spirit of the world is too ; selfish and cold hearted. People* generally, seem too much absorbed in their o^nperional welfaiv to care much about the bircumstances of others. If, however, this spirit served as a check, in any way, on idle inierfereHee in Other peoples' business, it would not b« ; without some beneficial result ; but I do not think that this is the case generally speaking. It too often happens that tho«e who are most selfish and cold hearted are, at thelsamo time, the greatest busy bodies in other mens* niattera; but only for the purpose of taking advantage thereby, in somo way oifother, and not with a view to be of aorvici* to ihm tteighboun and friends. .r^^ ' It oeritMnly is most lamisntable that the so-called ohriati. anity of some people is sadly below the standard of that sym- pathy and affection which we see manifested in the simple md kiadly muiners of the patriarchs; who, without having r«ceived;any special commands and without any iliustrioat . fzamples, may yet teach christians their duties toward* ^ ih^ir ndighbours ; evisn after edl the teaching and example a| onr Great Pattern and Divine Instructor, Jesus Ghiisii Qat,my brethren, thb "ought not so to be.** We, aschr^tians, i^nght to be in advance even of the old Testament worthies, M regards the oaanifestatipn of domestic Tirtues. We pro* less to be followers of Him, who has no|t only given oanoble and self denying precepts, but who has set before onr eyes* in His own spoUess history,Spi'^t^<»l examples and illuetrtUions fw to the maiiner in which we should deport ourMilvea' in '% f ' =VK,i - ir mr W-minded and disa- greeaUe; who are always oomplaini|ag and grumbling; ever brooding over some fancied slight br injury ; never satisfied unless they can have tbdr own way in everything ; never contented except they hate all their fancied wants supplied without delay. Such people can have rery little satisfaction in the present life itself, being nearly always out of humour ; adid, aa for life* eternal in heaven, such a dispbsition would be ■adiy out of place there. On the other hand, how happy and contented, notwithstanding all the trials of this world, nre those genial spirits who, like Abraham, place their whole trnat in Ood, and^atudy always to havd a conscience void of (/^"^ence towards men-^those who show that tjiey love Christ by loving their brethren ! Such persons are worthy of aU admiration; they are truly the 'Vsalt of the earth." To them the present pflgrimage of life, though attended with nwuiy croaace. is yet sweetened atfd aancUfied by a* conatant /■S-. .- ■'I r ::...-.x- 7JV^P^3V^ iw^^tt/. .', ^H LIOTTTBEB ON TBI Imitation of tb;it lovely imJ boivQni|y disposition wbieh wm •p eonipi nioiu in that Divine Mister whom they rocIc to Bcrve ani oUsj. Such ch;ir:ictoi-8, Hl.c that of Abrabnui, must commiiAj our respect i a every walk of life; as aljO thoy lire bri;'Jifc eTiunplei In- in to fo'.Iav,'. Boar in i«i :id, Uretliron. that ifii the duty of every believer tocultivuteoZr the chriati.ia gracoi ami viib-ioa. Ho who would uiiu at pcrrection must not bq siitiafie J with UU pre* •ent attuiauientt in the path of holinrisa— hn inust be " vtijl •chieving, still puraning ;" or, as St. Paul oxpreBsea it iu PhfUippiaas Srd c. 12th v. :— " not as tbo.igh I bod already attained, either were already perfect :— but I follow after, if inK flint Ahrahum vhidly aoroly become n Kn^ill hiuI mighty niition, inid tdl the nationH of tho Siuth Hhall bo bloHHcd In him?. F^ *• .^;--. 98 LKCTTTllES Ott TItl watchfulne^is may bo relaxed or withdrawn. Such at leaat appear^) io me to be the case in this colony, to a very great extent ; and what h the result P Numbers of young people grow U]^ carelea^^ bpld and head-strong — " without 'natural atfectiom '-^ — and wSsPse, vieimis and dcpravedl It has been my sa4 experience too often, during my comparatively brief min- isiry^io witness the lamentable results pfindiflference in the bringing up of children. Many times have I had occasion to rebuke sharply the young of both sexes for immorality and licentious conduct. Surely, in such cases, it is quite Tea8ona> ble to suppose that home discipline has been but little enforce ed ; that prudent watchfulness .has been too much neglected by those whose duty it is, not only to set a j^od example themselves, but also to " command" theiii ",children " and their ^'household" that" theyshall keep the way of the Lordf** A veiy heavy responsibility^ rests upon every Christian Aparentandwoe to such as wilfully or carelesslj neglect to bring up their children "in the nurture and admoiutioh of the \Iiord!" It is not sufBcient that you profess religton and shun yi^ yourselves: you must regularly ajaa constantly > aini to influenc<^"^nd. cofitrol your families in what" ever is right, pure and good, if you would jwroid the censure « imd displeasure of God. Witness this i^he remarkable case of Eli the high priest, recorded in the second and third chap< ters of the first book of Samuel, pi Inmself led a pious, and exemplary life ; yet he failed in Isfis duty- towards his chil. dren; being contested with merely administering a very mild rebuke, when l)e ought to have punished his sonsj severer ly : for neglecting which, th» Lord visited him with anj|Wful . proof of divine displeasure. In the 13th yersJB of tliC 3rd ehapterwe read "I will judge his house for ever ferthe ini* - quity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselviss yUe, and he restrained them not." What a. cAntrasty my bre- tbren, between the character of Eli and that of AbraJbam, res* peoting parental duties ! Let these two examples be ever be- fore you : the ou<; as a warning, the other as an encourage- ment to do your duty towards your children with firm^iess and ' ^thfulness. Bemember the injunction and assurance, of :*«.■ a ■ -v. CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM. 87 llnlomon in Proverbs 22nd c. 6th v. " train up a child in the ivay he* should go : and"^ when ke is old, he will not depart from it." I have often heard parents regret that thfeir chil- dren grow up wayward and self-willed ; and no wonder if they are not correctly trained. Unless they are educated upon Bible principles it will be useless te expect that they • will become otherwise than unruly and obstinate. What a blessing, both to parents and children, it would be if the for- me^ wer* more exact in co»t»»Mt»Mitii(; the^ obedience of their offspring to the law of God 1 And this may be done as well silow as in the days of Abraham. What hinders ? Some peO- f pie say " what is the use of commandinsr obedience when children will not obey P" I answer, your duty both to them and to God, requires you to doso : and you ai-e responsiblo for no more than the /ai«i/«i discharge of your duty. Abra* bam is not commended because of his^childrenb' obedience, but because God foresaw that he would be sufiaciently firm andfaithfulintbedirectionof hiscommauds,— "Ikuow him, that fte wiH.commawd his children and his household." ■.; i baye liot, as ye]t, said anything respecting the regulation of Abraham's " ft ' LECTURE THE FIFTH. n«««QU 95nn- 1 am. And h" Hald, 1 ako now lfKf'Moriah;and offer him tluno for a burnt offering upon one of the mountain which I will toll thcool." . In this chapter is recorded the greatest ^f aU tke trials to ^hich Abrahain was exposed ; and no part of bis eventful career displays his character more strikingly, in refereiice to faitb^and obedience. Tbe narrative here is most toucbing : ttn affectionate fatber is commanded by God to sacrifice an ^ only and beloved son ; yet for tbe promise of tbat very son^. the father bad patiently abided througb a long course of years-endured many trials and difficnlties-and bad been eiicourage*todoBO.bytbe assurance tbat bis sonsbouldbe tbe means of perpetuating bis name and race. Now that parent is required to yield bis promised son to tbe decree of Omnipoten^e-a decree, tbe very nature of ^whiob is s^cient to sbake the courage of tbe bravest beart, and perplex, the most exalted mind. Whatparent, however void of natural affection;, what mortal, however Callous, could remim un- moved and indifferent to such a^cemmand ! Yet it does not appear to bav6 taken Abraham altogether by surprise ; nei- ther did be repine because he was told to perform an uniiatu. taI action. And why P Because he was. now a man of won- derful experiencein the way. of God. He. bad learned^many alessoninfaitheretbis. He knew - whom " be bad be- Ueved.^' He bad gained that high standard of coi^dence in a Hea^renly Father's will, which makes the child of God yast where he cannot trace. Divine .purposes-tbat confidenc* which knows no fear but calmly resigns life, reason,^position -all things, into the merciful hands of Jehovah. Abraham was now i^ a position to reflect profitably on part events. ' He could reason with himself somewhat after the foUowmg ^ manner :-" I have been long in the service of my God and i X M ''Wf 40 LEQTOBKS ON'Tni! havo ever found His covcnaTit ordered in all thitigB and Bure." His providence has always been directed ^ by aupretao wisdom and though I have had to encounter many trials, while foUowing and obeying the^lictates of that providence, still I have prc^ved that the ways of my God are " just and true'' nor-can 1, upon calm reflection, doubt" that the present severeandheart^rending triftl will prove otherwise, in the , end, than a" J>leseing, in disguise." One thing- I know, t« mua he necessary for the furtherance of God's P^npo^es. o' He would never require aitcfc a sacrifice at my hands. ^ God w far too kind, and good to 'VafflictwilUngly'V therefore "1 will trust, and not *eufraid."-^ v y : , ' « He who hj^th h^Spcd me jjithorto, ^ : . . Will help me 'all my journey through. , ■ Some such ideas as these inust have occurred t* the mind of Abraham, 6re he felt ready and wUUng to " take hia ^ "lonly son into the Und c^ Mwiah." to offer Inm ^here for „ burnt offering ;' unless we assum6 that the patnareh waa not susceptible to the feeUngs of 6Ur common nature ;_^^^^^ woaldbeastaange,and far frbm truthful theory. Doubt- Srtthte^d^^ his wa^ felt, as keeu^ as w^^ - those anxieties^ndfearp whichare inseparaUe «rom thoughts^ of danger and death, where children are concerned. W,e S.r^t. indeed, the- actual state of thrirfeehn^s under < ^a^uliartrial; but this we may, I think, safely e^- cruderthatftoefctvere now so well schooled in the ways of Ihe A^m^hty, as to be able to "endure hardness- and ^amtain - .^Lt^ssthroughthe"ch,udy^4-^ a^^-^^ it is we behold the great triumph <.f faith. It is not at, m Ukely. in the very nature of things, tU Abraham, would, at It commencem^t of his eventful career, have. b^-P"P«: ; red ^undergo such an ordeal as that under consfd^taon. -■. S^^atL would, periiaps. ^ave «*elled. sadly ^ .. - 'earlier stage in his history. ThQUgh tnals of a ^less search--^ ^^tl^JcaX^e have akeady seen; 3^^ LtltngcotpmandasthS^" take now thy son, thme only cj. Isaac; wlm thOu lovel and offer him for a >urnt offer-/ -. ing"-rc Abrahan faith wh former i clear n< which h( But.l flited an in the ^ ' "Wisdon • dence b dually i triumpl then do in its I only bj bfcom< Tlier Would I .this im namelj .resign ' rendin ; often 1 (Dhr : with t withsl arese . instill , nishe* in th< stand epistl — zeals fundi ^ dyi"j w. r CHABACTBK OF ABEAHAM. 41 wig"-rbqair«d infinitely more faith an< resignation tban Abraham had previously exer^iaed. Compared with that iiiith which this extraordinary trial rendered necessary , ^all former iUustrations were but experiments-mere rays of that clear- ndbn^ay sunBhine of impUcit aud holy confidenco which ho now exhibited. ' " But by what process did he bedome possessed of this Ex- alted and radiant faith P BycontinuaUy exercising himself ^ in the wiU of God, By expanding his trust ^nlUmighty ' Wisdom, in proportion to the development of thjt provi- donee by which he was so wlUingly led. Abraham had gra-. dually tod imperceptibly to himself, arrived at this gliri\ual life is^prOI/^-^^^^-" Si nature-that,t*e tru* streJgiJi of ^th i« acqu^ed only by.the texjeri^ce of trials^t.the.chrHtmn 'ought to bfcome mo»^ coimisrcmM. aftei^^ 8nd character of Abraliarn^. :^mely:that«eA>)rahamconldso rm.I./jf and ««/««y.i«//^ :^ims^ft.the.o^n*-^^ r^ in^its ^iH^'^ many christians emin^ for pie^. ^ten ihow area* rel«c<«r«.e when req«i,;ed to yield .olt.e«xm., lar ofejcct of affection to the Divine Will. ■ , . Christian faith is often greatly deficient when coi^par^ wkSaTwhich charp^t^risedihe patriarchal age ^f^^^-^^ ZuhstLding all the noble iUust^atiops an|^ examples ^,ch Ire^eTbef or^ us in Holy Scripture, and ulf tho,e biiiliant S^^devot^on and s^nfice wi«i f hidi^ ^^ nished'intljW lives of the ancient martyra. ther« is too little r^;^ntday t6 indicate theexUt.^^ ^ ^da^of chri8«ian fait^. Those who ^»»-f ^^^'^^^ Sties'' of enduring piety, liave been ^n.d to ^^^^ : : ll aM learning in raising futile pf^^-^^J^ ^ fundamental principles of our holy rebgion.. l^^^^^^;^ ayingthe history of the Old Testament worthies, .ior the H • . ( / IS Lioftntcs oir tnv purpose of imitation ;.8ome in tlieae " latter* times,*' appear to hare reftd the. script urte rather to cavil at their simplicity, and thos undermine and unsettle the fait^ of those to whom . they should be both patterns and guides. . Let however, the humble belie^sr learn the lesson which is set before him in Abraham's wonderful and willing compli- ance with the decree of God. T\ak is the important point to be enquired into ; with all minor details we have nothing whatever to do. Tou are to observe, my brethren, that Abraham's obedience was not o eona^ained apd rduetani a^air, but, a pei/eeflj^ ivtKin^ subrnMsion to the command^ of Qod. The whole nairative proves this. Abrahan^ appears throughout perfectly calm and collect^. Whatever might . have Wn his first impressions^ when summoned to, hear the dread mandate, he did not.retract from the prompt reply "here I am"; but, on the contrary, "rose; up early , in the morning" to- fulfil the terrible task^ assigned him. Sotae would have delayedt Ss long as possible, a journey so moam- fulajid affecUng; many would have heggeifoir ator.; and yba will perceive, my ,bretbi)en, how little teal fortitude is mani' • •■• /."■.■■ ■ 'V ■ /'■ ■■- ;:::-/::. *>.^ chabactkb or abbahau.. -^' festedt eyeii«4^here we are apt to think the uiojitt humble sub' mission e^ists.^ ^Many a parent has fa»een known to receive a death shoek in consequence of losing (as w.e term it) a fondly. loTcd child! Many a hearth has ''been made glooiny and desolate for years, merely beoaaise> «t has plea^d'G^^'in mercy, to take *' away from the evil to come*' some promisiibg bud which, to earthly minds, seemed teeming with every virtue t Even if we closely examine those cases wherein we find bereayed parents bowing with meekness ;to the will of Ood— exclaiming, with all sincerity, "it is the Lord : let him do what ^eemcth him good"— we shall yet discover that the /o}%e>o/ circttmaidmee*, rather than ** a toUUnffinind,'" has pro- duced the spirit of obedience. Of course the world- iar>6t/ without its many instances of heroic sacrifice and devotion to npblo causes; but these have, usually, (cen eflfected for glory and renews '^prompted by some hidden motive, q'Aite different from that which theytrue ehtistian must' possess^ in order that ke- may '• prcsenf ' a ." living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto , CrOd." In the 'instance under cpHAideration, no motive was assigned by the Almighty for such a. trepnendous sacrifice; and while there was every naiural reason, why Abraham should shrink from it^ there w^ but pne, frhich eould prompt its performance, nsmelj-^'^dbedienee to Ood. But a Jaroed obedience Oiin never be ranked with ^och an lns>ianct as that 'of Abraham being willing to offer up Isaac A inan may submit to GK)d*s providence, 'When the object of earthly ' a^ection has been aetually taken atoay; but, to be -willing h^orehand to j relinquish . natural desires' in deference to €K>d's purposes, whil& yet a hope exists that the trial may be averted— 'this is a point in the spiritual life which id> attained b^ comparatively few. The 'best of men, perhaps, are only alfle to follow the example of David, and become reconciled to the will of God, only when all hope of the child's recovery has been taken away (^ 2 Samuel 12 c « 16 V. Ac.) In Alnrahan^ however, 'w^ behold, the brighllBt - future of 'resignatioii. fienr^jioc' only willing to sacrifice bis son, but also ready, at Qrod'a command) to be the i&stru- 4 '^' ;''"> kf - ^ « KfinSfi^Ff^J^sir- \ LVCTTmsB ov Tan ment of effecting his death. Some would have pleaded hard t» be spared this part of the trial, and woald liave considered the sacrifice snflSciently dreadftil in being required to yield auehtk Tlctiin ; bnt Abraham stiptilated for no conditicni. When once he knew what was demanded, he immediately en- deavoured to comply.* What a noble lesson this, for many a* christian parent, when: called npon to stand at the bedside of a beloved child and soothe the anguish of the dying hour ! My brethren, if ever that trial falls to your lot, let this case of the patriarch afford you fortitude and courage. Your casey - dreadful as it may prove, will never be what his must hav^ become, had he actually been permitted to slay bis son •? for a burnt offering. "And yet, whcA he set out for "the land of iioriah," he "had to prepare his mind to witness the _awjjil d^ath-throeB of his beloved son— that promising yOuth, "wMse life he doubtless expected would be spared to comfort his declining years ! Severe as the trial must be, to watch the Bufferings of those we love, yet how much more so would it have been the case with A,bTahUm, who knew that the dying pains add struggles of his only sou were to be caused by his own— a fitther*8 — hand 1 * : ' ^ No greafer test was required to prove the sincerity of Abra- hamVfi^. He passed that dread ordeal so nobly, that he at once received the commendation of his God. " And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham : and he said Here am, I. And he said, i^y not thine hand QpK»n the lad, neither dtf thon ' anything unto, him : fOf now I i^ow that thou fearest Qod, seeing thou hast not vKthheld thy son, thine only son from me." (Gen. ■ 22 0.11 12 T.) . "■■ :.-:.:■■■.:. ,>■;::.-:■... •;■■■;„/;.':; Andhere, I think, we may very properly close this inter^. esting subject ; fer in ihi8,the most affecting part of the pa- triarchVhistory, we have his full character beautifully dis- played. Would that his noble disposition were more of ten emulated I What advances in true faith and piety would be. 'constantly effected, if christians aimed at living as near to, Qod aa did Abraham ! He was always ready to obey, bis. Loi^' therei thren, Kiugt he did ' /of Goi Lud p< all wb COUHtu C0UDt< where |ur a c M ■x I'-" ■ H7 -^ ■■ ; • ■ ■ ■ . ■ 1 •> ■,T>^ / . ^ : .. '■:■ '■■■■'■: /J-^ > ■-••„ 'Jp ■ ■.••■■ CHAEACTKB OK ABBAHAM _;;-;-.-.:';:-_4g - LqI^;. conanauds^ver seeking the p.rth of d«t^ and walk W here.uw.tb meekuens aud por^verauce. Like him theub."^ KiZ; '^"m^"" *"*"'" ^'"^ true allegiance to the " King of KiDgB. May you " preHH toward the mark.- a« carne«tlr as of God m Chr.«t Jo^is." B«u,ember that it was " X h^ Lad ^^e.% euJum/.- that •' he ohtaincd the promis^a^ all who desire to be "I^Wd with faithful Ab^^-ahtm' m^t constantly strjve. ••watch and pncy ' that they J^ ':^^ counted worthy to obtain that world" of ev.rJt in ci^jt vvhere .;the Lord of hosts «hall be for a crowi^^oj gbJ^^ S ior a d.aden. of beauty, unto the reeiduo of his peo^e.'' ^ _ "O happy servant ho, ' In such a posture f^nnd! • v .-' ?"f?"" V'? f'^-^l «^ith rapture 600 Ami be with honour crown'd. /• Chrl!»t shall the banquet spread With His own royal hand. And n.iBe U.at iaithful Hrvanfa load Anna the uitj^elie band." <^% y /(' ¥■ '^' ■■» I "- 1 ; "/ pItlHTBD ST "J. T. BUBTOH*. V ■ ■• 'h\ '^%':-'^..- /' * ■.-.. y- \^':. ■:':j^' 1^^%' .1';^ ^*' ' / r r- K ■f- /-'