glorifying God in the sphere where his grace found us.

To relinquish sinful principles and practices, however, is at all times our bounden duty: even at the too probable risk of offending former associates in iniquity. That such persons will take umbrage, is pretty certain. In thus acting, therefore, we must beseech God to inspire us with the self-denying faith of Abraham. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

On

There is one thing very remarkable in the circumstances of Abraham; and we may here notice it by way of anticipation: namely, that when he had obeyed the call of God, and actually entered Canaan, he did not there immediately find rest. the contrary, his faith was tried by the corrupt society which he found in those regions: "The Canaanite was then in the land:" a race of men most vile, and abhorred of God. Thus Abraham exchanged one set of trials for another. And, in like manner, they who come out from an evil world, and devote themselves to the service of Christ, do not instantly inherit all the spiritual joys, which perhaps they promised themselves. They must learn to wait. Our life here is a scene of probation, conflict and suffering. But if we be guided by the Lord, we shall also be preserved and comforted by him. They who are led by the motives which impelled Abraham, will in due time experimentally know likewise his abounding consolations.

(59)

SECTION II.

ABRAHAM ARRIVING AT THE PROMISED LAND.

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.

(Genesis xii. 6—8.)

Ar the time of Abraham's entering the promised land, he was seventy-five years old: there remained of his lifetime just one hundred years yet to live. Of the earlier part of his sojourn on earth, but little is known it was during these latter hundred years that the most instructive events of his life took place.

:

This, then, is a proper place for the inquiry, By what considerations was the patriarch induced to undertake this distant journey, and commence a settlement in a new land? How was he encouraged in his enterprise? and, How did he act?

1. First, as to the Ground of his conduct. It is clear that the sole motive of this whole transaction of Abraham was, the word of the Lord. "He departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him." Any thing less than God's command would not have moved him; but this sufficed. In what In what way God

communicated his "word" is not exactly explained to us: we know only, in general, that of old God spake sometimes in vision to his saints. He addressed them, while sleeping or in a trance, conveying his will to them in a manner perfectly intelligible to their own minds. What we possess; is, the will of God recorded in Scripture: they received intimations of that will in visions or dreams; and sometimes by a voice, as the voice of a man.

In whatever way the will of the Lord is made known to us, our duty is to believe and obey. So did Abraham. And though he knew not, step by step, whither he went, yet step by step he went on, till at length he was safely conducted into the land of promise. Even then he had no certain dwellingplace. He was frequently on the move. "By faith (says St. Paul) he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God:" (Hebrews xi. 9, 10.)

man.

2. As to the Encouragements enjoyed by Abraham, these consisted in promises immeasurably great: promises such as never before had centered on one Though as yet he was childless, yet God declares his intention to make of him a great nation. Though he was at present an obscure individual, the Lord engages to make his name great: a promise which hath been fulfilled literally; for probably no man's name has ever been more universally

known and venerated among all nations of the world, than that of Abraham. The Lord promises him unlimited protection: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee." These promises were made, no doubt, partly to Abraham on his own account; partly to the family and nation that should spring from him.-To crown all the other encouragements vouchsafed to him, he had the assurance from God, that he should himself "be a blessing," that "in him should all the families of the earth be blessed." This prophetic declaration related principally to the coming of the Messiah, the Redeemer of the world; who, according to the flesh, was to descend from Abraham. But, besides this distinguished honour of being the progenitor of Christ, Abraham was in various ways a blessing to all connected with him. "To be blessed, and to be a blessing," is the summit of all earthly happiness: nay, it points even higher, extending into the eternal world. What glorious prospects were thus opened to the view of this holy patriarch!

3. Next, as to his Conduct, mark how religiously he acted. We read that on his arriving in the promised land, "the Lord appeared to him, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land." Before his setting out, the promise went no further than, "a land that I will shew thee:" now the land is given. God did indeed give Abraham himself "none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on :" that is, not as his own. Yet the holy patriarch took possession of it "for God:" for it is said " There

66

he builded an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." Abraham was eminently a devout man. Wherever God led him to pitch his tent, there he resolved the Lord should have an altar. We frequently read, "There builded he an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord."

From such a commencement we might justly expect to hear great things concerning this "friend of God," this "father of the faithful." Nor shall we be disappointed: but let us, for the present, follow out this part of his history, in its obvious spiritual application.

Let us view Abraham's journey from Haran, and his arrival at Canaan, as an emblem of our separating ourselves from this sinful world, and setting out like pilgrims in search of a better country, even an heavenly.

The very first step taken by any one converted to God, is a step taken in faith. The true Convert is one who believes (and he believes rightly) that God hath called him to seek deliverance from this present evil world; to quit sinful associates; to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; and to follow whithersoever the Saviour shall lead him. At first he goes forth, as it were, "not knowing whither he goeth" not apprehending, that is, very distinctly, either the difficulties, the duties, or the encouragements belonging to his course. All he knows at the first, is, that he is invited by God to journey unto a good land: he is persuaded by the sure word of promise, that Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness,