people, we know assuredly that the sacred penman speaks not primarily of his body: as its dust was only gathered to the dust of Sarah. The Holy Ghost carries us in vision with him into the eternal state, the separate condition of disembodied and blessed souls, -the spirits of just men made perfect. When long afterwards, the Angel Jehovah spake unto Moses at the bush, and said, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," He meant, as Himself the Amen, the faithful and true Witness afterwards declared, that He was not the God of the dead, but of the living and that Abraham therefore lived to Him. When the great Prophet of the Church represented Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, He unquestionably attested his blessedness in the invisible world. A grave in Canaan was not therefore, all that God bestowed upon Abraham, when the long and weary pilgrimage of life was passed. His relation to God was as entire, three centuries after his body was mingled with the clods of the valley, as when he entertained angels at Mamre, or sacrificed Isaac in his holy purpose upon Mount Moriah; and so it is at this day. In that state he now rests, and awaits the resurrection of the just.

In that state rest the spirits of all who have departed in the true faith and fear of God's holy name. In that state may we be found, if we fall asleep before the coming of our Lord! And in that great day of his appearing, may our souls and bodies, glorified and sinless, be united to partake the wonders of the resurrection of the just, to live with God, all and in all for ever!

But death will gather us to our people. If our companions have been they who loved and trusted in the Saviour-if our communion hath been with the saints-if our fellowship hath been with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, in the light and liberty of holiness, then shall we be ever with them and with the Lord. If our conversation hath been with the sinner, the unbeliever, the God of this world-such companionship forming the dark tenor of our lives, and the dismal character of their end, so will be the society of the world everlasting. "Judge therefore yourselves, dear brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord."

IV. I may add-and the subject would be incomplete without such a remark, that A BELIEVER IN GOD MAY EXPECT HIS OWN COVENANT REDEEMER AND FATHER TO BE

THE PORTION OF HIS

CHILDREN. "It came

to pass after the death of Abraham that God blessed his son Isaac." A rich and ample volume of mercy is included within this little sentence. Page after page of it was unfolded and imparted to this simple and humble man of God, every day, and every hour of his future life. And page after page shall be realized to him throughout eternity. The promise was abundantly fulfilled, which the fidelity of Jehovah had long before spoken to his father-"I will be a God unto thee and to thy seed.” 1 Quiet, inoffensive, chaste, and retired, this eminent man of God dwelt by the well Lahai-roi-the well of God who liveth and seeth his people: and there he had consoling visions of the Most High, to establish his faith. Twenty years did he wait in that faith and patience, before the Lord opened the womb of Rebekah, and she became the mother of Esau and Jacob. In all that time he took no concubine to his bed, under a sinful pretence of carnal reasoning, to advance the purpose of Jehovah." He staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief: but was strong in faith, giving glory

1 Gen. xvii. 7.

to God."1

He also dwelt as a stranger and a pilgrim in Canaan; and had his conversation in heaven.

The prayer of parental faith hath a mightiness of prevalency with God, to open his heart towards the children of his pleading family; as he first closed and then opened the windows of heaven to the supplications of Elijah. The example of parental holiness, brings with it a blessing upon children, both for this world and for that which is to come. Joseph said to his brethren and children, "I die, and God will surely visit you." Such language may the departing believer adopt concerning those for whom he hath wrestled with God, and use it in the full assurance of faith. Christian parents, use it now; and trust a faithful God for its issue!

And here, to use the exquisite language of Isaac Walton, in his record of our own Hooker's death, here I draw Abraham's curtain; till with the most glorious company of the Patriarchs and Apostles, the most noble army of Martyrs and Confessors, this most humble holy man shall also awake to receive an eternal tranquil

lity, and with it a greater degree of glory, than that of which common believers shall be made partakers. Have any of your hearts burned. within you by the way, as we have unfolded his history? Does it dwell with any sweetness or power upon your minds? Then lift up each his soul to God, and cry in Balaam's words, but in the spirit of one, to whom Christ and holiness, peace and bliss are dear, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" 1

1 Num. xxiii. 10.

THE END.

PRINTED BY

L. AND G. SEELEY, WESTON GREEN, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.