cordially embraced: only by "believing with the heart unto righteousness," can you approve yourselves his friends.

And let this be your serious concern. The Lord hath spoken: "Receive, therefore, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart." Rely on the testimony which he hath given let it have its proper influence, and appear in its genuine effects. You may not see distinctly into the meaning of all that God hath revealed: obstacles may stand against the accomplishment of promises, and seem to oppose the fulfilment of predictions; yet on this you may depend, that all which Jehovah hath uttered is worthy of himself: his word for ever is settled in heaven, and inviolable faithfulness seals every engagement.-Observe,

2. Abraham's holy fellowship with God.-He was evidently a man not only of strong faith, but of exalted piety he was much devoted to God, and enjoyed special nearness to him. At the time when he removed from place to place, it is remarked that wherever he rested, "there he built an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the Name of the Lord." But we need only to instance his intercession on behalf of Sodom. Read the account at large in the eighteenth chapter of the Book of Genesis. There you see "the friend of God" and the friend of man pleading in the most pathetic manner! Such humble reverence, such holy freedom, such ardent, earnest importunity, discover the exalted piety of his heart, and justify his right to the most honourable distinction!

Thus let your life be a life of fellowship with Heaven; and the closer this communion is maintained the higher your enjoyment will rise. Friends love to

converse with each other, and do you converse with God: friends have pleasure in opening their hearts to each other, and do you open your hearts to the Lord; spread before him all your griefs and fears, all your wants and cares. There are seasons when we cannot have access, to earthly friends, and when our requests would be intrusive and improper; but never so in regard to this heavenly Friend: we have liberty of approach to him at all times, and in all possible circumstances. There are feelings also of a difficult and delicate kind which we cannot divulge to our nearest connexions; but we may go and communicate them without reserve to our Father, our Friend in heaven. He is not offended with the greatest freedom, or displeased with the utmost importunity: just the reverse. Whatever burdens the spirit, this is the invitation of his love: "Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely." Whatever necessity occurs, this is the language of his grace: Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it"-" Put me in remembrance, let us plead together"-" It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and whilst they are yet speaking, I will hear."— Lastly, observe,

3. Abraham's cheerful obedience to God.-Eminent as was his faith, his obedience was not less so: the one was the fruit of the other, and he shewed his faith by his works. We have many facts in proof of this assertion. When he left his native country, his kindred, and his father's house, and "went out not knowing whither he went," it was in obedience to the command of God. When he acted such a part of prudence, and manifested such a temper of peace in the separation which occurred between him and his

nephew Lot, it was in compliance with a heavenly principle ruling in his heart. When he paid such attention to the religious instruction and order of his family as to gain the honourable testimony, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord," it was still in conformity to the Divine will. These were instances of holy obedience; the fruit of living faith, and proofs of friendship with God.

But the most prominent act, the noblest proof of the patriarch's obedience, relates to the sacrifice of his son. The command of the Most High was clear and express: "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*." And the statement of the Apostle is this: By faith, Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises, offered up his only son of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure t." His faith was put to the severest trial, and his obedience to the strictest test: but, aided by the grace of a covenant God, his faith was vigorous, and his obedience prompt. The son bled on the altar, in the purpose and resolution of his father; and it was only the interposition of "the Angel of the Lord," that prevented the fatal stroke. Whatever his God required, this eminent believer was cheerfully ready to resign: whatever he commanded, he was fully determined to do. Never

* Gen. xxii. 2.

↑ Heb. xi. 17-19.

was faith more triumphant! Never was obedience more resolute! His whole spirit and behaviour evinced him to be-" the friend of God."

And let it be remembered, our obedience is the best proof of character, and the surest test of the disposition of the heart. All appearance and profession, that includes not practical compliance with the Divine will, is delusive and defective in a very serious degree. Mark the words of Jesus to his disciples: "If ye love me, keep my commandments ;" and, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." We profess to be his disciples, we are called by his name, and are denominated his "friends;" but it is our conformity to his word that must justify the profession, and demonstrate our sincerity and decision. What hath the Lord enjoined? His commandments are not grievous; his yoke is not heavy; his ways are pleasantness and peace: let us therefore comply. What hath the God of heaven forbidden? All his prohibitions are wise and kind; the dictate of each is, "Do thyself no harm" let us therefore refrain. What does the Most High call us to endure? He never afflicts willingly his severest dispensations are for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness, and sharers in the felicity of his sons: then let us suffer with patience, with humble submission, with holy contentment: thus shall we enjoy the sweetest satisfaction in our own breasts, and shall approve ourselves "the friends of God."

IMPROVEMENT.

Learn from the subject, the true dignity of man.It is not worldly distinction, not earthly possession, not alliance with the gay and the great; but it is to

be "blessed with faithful Abraham,"—it is to have fellowship with heaven, and friendship with God. If any are proud of connection with men of elevated rank, know that all are worms of the earth: dust is their origin and their end. If any imagine that real consequence is derived from the countenance of those who possess the power, and shine in the pageantry of the world; remember, that all are on a level in the sight of God: all in his view are sinners; depraved, polluted, and condemned. Worthless, therefore, is the honour which cometh from men; but inestimable the favour and the friendship of the Most High! These deserve our supreme regard; and to these we are encouraged to aspire: the Gospel guides in the high pursuit, and assures us, that obeying its dictates, we are brought into a nearer relation than this of friends; we become "the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus."

living the very

But do all sustain this true dignity? Are all the friends of God? Certainly not. If men were his friends, it would be evinced in their disposition and conduct; but no such evidence is universally given. The fact is too plain, that many are living the opposite of a life of faith, of prayer, and of obedience. Should this be the unhappy condition of any of you, and should conscience testify against you, with what possible pretension to truth can you call yourselves the "friends of God?" And if not his friends, what is your character? Are you not his enemies? O that you knew the danger of your state, and were fully aware of the awful doom that awaits you! The enemies of the Almighty are condemned by his righteous law, bound by his inflexible justice, and every moment exposed to his tremendous wrath. And how shall you be able to stand? In what way shall