vinced of his patient's need, and of the benevolence of his own purpose.

1. Is it now asked to what principle (subordinate to the ruling power of faith) we may attribute these excellences in the character of Abraham? I answer, to that habitual connexion of every thing with God, which the last verse but one in the chapter records for our instruction. "Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God." The worship of his Almighty Shield, his all-sufficient Helper, his exceeding great Reward is never forgotten. The grove is planted; and no doubt throws in due time its broad and refreshing shade over the altar, whereupon is shed that sacrificial blood, by which was shadowed forth the allmeritorious oblation of the Lamb of God. His religion is inseparably intertwined with the great doctrine of atonement, which is the groundwork of all prayer, all worship, all praise, all hope, all confidential approach to God. O let us not be told that we may preach that doctrine too frequently, or too anxiously, or too importunately to the hearts of men. If there be one

1 Gen. xxi. 33.

truth of God, which more than another (where all are infinitely precious) should be inculcated in season and out of season, it is surely that great doctrine, the central sun that pours the light of life-the central force that preserves the harmony of the whole system of salvation, and around which every duty, every grace, every virtue that unites to complete and perfect the believer revolves at God's appointment. We do not mean that Christ crucified should be preached as an insulated truth; but as the mighty, supreme, and all-pervading influence that gives life and energy to man's obedience. And while according to his poor ability, helped, as the Spirit of God may help him by holy study in the book of life, prayer for divine illumination, and practical application of its blessed truth to his own soul, the minister of Christ endeavours to set forth the Atonement, in its length and breadth, and depth and height of love, and in its mighty cogency of obligation, he cannot do wrong, because he thus takes the motto of his great examplar in ministerial zeal and faithfulness—“ God forbid that I should glory, save only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."1

VOL. II.

1 Gal. vi. 14.

II. Abraham is a stranger and a pilgrim in the earth but still he is permitted to sojourn in the land of the Philistines many days; probably indeed not less than six and twenty years. There shall be that truce to his present wanderings. And why? probably to refresh himself, to enable him to educate his son Isaac in holy preparation for the dew of heaven in the blessings of promise; and that he may awhile longer bear his testimony for God in the darkness of the country where he dwells. But his appointed time will pass away, his duties there will be fulfilled, and he must go thence. He knows this, and therefore dwells not in a ceiled house, but in a tent, easily taken down and removed. He rests awhile in faith; he is ready to depart in hope, for he relies on the promise, "looking for a city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God." Even so do Abraham's seed, the members and heritage of Christ. Having believed, they enter even here into some temporary rest. But as the ark had its staves always fixed in their rings, ready to be taken up, when the pillar of fire and of cloud should give its signal of removal, so is it with

1 Heb. xi. 10.

the Christian. This is not his rest, for it is polluted; and the voice will come to cry, "Arise and depart hence." Zealous for his divine Master, while he stays, yet ready and willing to be gone, he redeems the time, and lives with his eye fixed on that unchanging blessedness which awaits him in the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. He knows that if his earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, he has a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Where his treasure is, there is his heart also. He is a brief sojourner on earth, a pilgrim, rapidly passing through its wilderness, or its more pleasant places; but his portion both for time and for eternity, is the everlasting God, upon whom he calls, even Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for "To him to live is Christ, to die is

ever.

gain." 1

1 Phil. i. 21.

SERMON XXXIII.

THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC.

GENESIS XXII. 1, 2.

AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS, THAT GOD DID TEMPT AHRAHAM AND SAID UNTO HIM, ABRAHAM: AND HE SAID, BEHOLD, HERE I AM. AND HE SAID, TAKE NOW THY SON, THINE ONLY SON ISAAC, WHOM THOU LOVEST, AND GET THEE INTO THE LAND OF MORIAH; AND OFFER HIM THERE FOR A BURNT-OFFERING, UPON ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS WHICH I WILL TELL THEE OF.

It has been remarked, not more quaintly than truly, that when man builds himself a nest, God in gracious wisdom plants a thorn in it, lest his shortsighted and unthinking creature, allured by its warmth and softness, should cower too closely in it, when he should be pluming and spreading his wings for a heavenward flight. The statement is verified in Abraham's experience. He had now dwelt in Beersheba many days, probably indeed until Isaac was twenty-five, or