which are ready to escape the hasty eye, but which, in connexion with other proofs, established the truth and certainty of the scripture revelation, and the constant interposition of Divine Providence in the affairs of men beyond the power of contradiction. Behold then the rite of circumcision is performed; and Abraham sits down in the patient expectation of the appointed hour of merciful visitation.

One day, while he was enjoying the coolness of the shade at his tent door, in the heat of the day, three men, under the appearance of travellers, presented themselves to his view. These were three angels, say some of the Jewish Rabbins, and without hesitation, they furnish us with their names too, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. A few of the Christian fathers, on the other hand, contend that here was a visible representation of the most holy Trinity, exhibited to Abraham as three, addressed and acknowledged by him as one. That something more than created excellence was there, cannot be doubted, after a careful perusal of what Moses has related upon this occasion. But whether the mystery of the Trinity was thus, and then, revealed to the church in the covenant head of it, we presume not to affirm. It is apparent that the patriarch did not, during the former part of the interview, comprehend the nature and quality of his guests, as he neither performs the worship due to the most holy God, nor preserves that awful distance, which even the presence of an angel must inspire; and the Apostle, alluding to him in the text, says, he "entertained angels unawares," that is, not knowing he did so.

especially, not less grateful. We remember slight attentions after we have forgotten great benefits. The proud man makes a feast to gratify himself; the hospitable man, to rivet the bonds of friendship, or cherish the soul of the stranger. What a delightful simplicity runs through the whole story! The fare, "cakes of fine meal, baked upon the hearth" by the hands of Sarah herself; a "calf from the herd," of Abraham's own choosing; butter and milk, the produce of their own pasture; their canopy, the spreading branches of an old tree; their attendants, the man who had in former days put kings and their armies to flight; the subject of their conversation, Abraham's family affairs. Contrast with this the madness of a modern fashionable entertainment; the profusion of far-fetched luxury, the emulation of wealth and pride, the ingenuity employed in contriving and administering incentives to excess, the gibberish of compliment, the restraints of ceremony, the tinsel of false wit, the noise of mirth without joy, to the expulsion of truth and nature; a costly and painful collection, where nothing is wanting, but the very things which constitute a feast, plenty of wholesome fare, unaffected friendship, moderation, good humour, and good sense.

When we are doing our duty, we are in the way of procuring for ourselves gratification; and if there be a virtue which is its own reward, hospitality is that virtue. Abraham now enjoys it to the full. But little does he think what a repast his divine guest is providing for him in return. Sarah, according to the manners of the times, had reThe scene that follows is a beautiful pic-mained invisible, confining herself to her ture of ancient manners, and wonderfully coincides with the customs of the other nations of remote antiquity, as transmitted to us by their historians and poets, particularly Homer, that careful observer and masterly painter of nature and human life.

Abraham immediately starts from his seat with all the agility of youth, at the sight of the strangers; and with all that glow of affection which is natural to a good man, who had himself known the heart of a stranger, he tenders them every accommodation and refreshment which his simple habitation could afford. Sweetness of temper, easiness of behaviour, and kindness of disposition, are peculiarly engaging in old people, because these qualities do not so frequently adorn life's decline. The invitation hospitably given is cheerfully accepted.

True kindness, which is true politeness, attends to the little wishes and wants of those whom we entertain. Water to wash the feet of the weary traveller is a refreshment, though not so necessary as a morsel of bread to comfort his heart, yet, in a sultry climate

own separate tent. The angel now inquires concerning her, on purpose to introduce a conversation respecting the object of this visit; and assuming his proper character of Jehovah, subjoins a direct promise, that within the course of a year from that day, Abraham should have a son by her. Sarah, whom curiosity had drawn towards the door of the tent to listen, overhears this conversation, and not knowing the promise or the power of God, treats it as a thing impossible, and laughs, not in joy but in derision. She is observed, detected, and reproved of Him who is at once faithful, good, and merciful; holy, just, and severe. But why is Abraham called to answer for the infirmity of his wife? Was it to render the reproof more pointed to Sarah? As, indeed, what can be so galling to an ingenuous mind, as to hear an innocent person called in question for our fault? The criminal now stands discovered, she is dragged from her lurking place, and stands abashed and confounded, to make her defence. Ah how dangerous it is, to have deviated once from the path of rectitude! How one false step

me," O man! be the leading, commanding | nexion, and dependence of the several parts idea of thy life, in the city and in the field, revealed to us by Him who is both the auin society and in solitude, by night and by thor and finisher of it. Eagerly hungering day, and when you come to die, you will after the fruit of this tree of life, which find you have not far to go; to be "absent grows in the midst of the paradise of God," from the body" is to be "present with the this tree of knowledge of good but not of Lord." Is it so pleasant and improving to evil, let us be humbly and modestly, but contemplate the detached fragments of the carefully and constantly searching the scripplan of Providence and redemption, which tures, in which alone the way of eternal life is all we can attain in this state? What will is declared, and that life is in the Son of it be in yonder world of bliss, to be endowed God. And may God give us understanding with a capacity of comprehending the whole in all things; and to his name be praise.— vast design, and to have the harmony, con- Amen.

HISTORY OF ABRAHAM.

LECTURE XVI.

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.-JAMES ii. 23.

Or all the temporal blessings which God | namely, communication of purpose and dein his exuberant goodness hath bestowed up- sign. Abraham indeed could have no view on mankind, one of the greatest, if not the or intention but what lay open to the eye of chief, is a sincere and virtuous friend. Into God, as soon as formed within his own the composition of this character enter all the breast; but the designs of the Most High amiable and excellent qualities which our could be known to him only as they were nature possesses; and in a commerce of vir- revealed. tuous friendship, we find the exertion of the We are presented with a very remarkable noblest principles, and a display of the wor- instance of such gracious communication, in thiest actions. The person who is approved the close of that interview, the commenceand esteemed of wise and good men, must ment of which has already passed under rehimself be wise and good. To what a pitch view. God having confirmed the faith of of dignity then is the patriarch Abraham Abraham, and reproved the infidelity of Sarah raised? Venerable in possessing the esteem respecting the promised seed, unfolds a farof men; infinitely more venerable, as distin- ther design he had in this solemn visit to guished by the approbation and friendship of our world. He has come to execute judgGod. Volumes written in his praise, and ment as well as to show mercy; for "our containing a particular enumeration of his God is a consuming fire." But the hands of virtues, could not say more than the few Omnipotence are as it were bound up, till words of the Apostle which have now been Abraham the friend of God is made acquaintread. All that is necessary, in order to ex-ed with what is meditating. "Shall I hide plain them, is to have recourse to his history, to mark his character, to observe his conduct; and on the other hand to trace the dispensations of the Divine Providence towards him, and to attend to the manner in which it pleased God to treat him, in order to learn how The character given of Abraham well dethis sacred friendship was constituted and in serves the attention of every father, of every what it consisted. And on the part of Abra-master. "For I know him, that he will comham, we shall find cheerful and prompt obedience, unbounded trust and confidence, profound reverence and fervent love; on the part of God, the most winning condescension, the tenderest affection, the most unshaken constancy. One essential quality of true friendship entered particularly into is this,

from Abraham that thing which I do?" As afterwards he said to Lot, when he wished to hasten his flight from the midst of destruction, "Escape thither, for I cannot do any thing until thou be come thither."

mand his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."* The secret divulged under this sacred seal, is God's deter.

Genesis xviii. 19.

fore me, and be thou perfect?" and yet he the word "mocking," and by which Sarah yields to a slight temptation. The very was so much incensed, that she insisted on apology which he makes for his conduct, the immediate banishment of Hagar and her when the truth was brought to light, disco- son. No created joy is either pure and unvers a mind not perfectly satisfied with itself. mixed, or of long continuance. Sarah's com"And yet indeed she is my sister: she is the fort is marred by the brutality and insolence daughter of my father, but not the daughter of Ishmael to her son, and not improbably by of my mother; and she became my wife."* the fear she entertained of one so much adO, how lovely, how majestic is simple truth! vanced in age, stature, and strength above It seeks no retirement, stands in need of no Isaac, and of such a wild untoward disposidefence, is ever consistent with itself, ever tion. Abraham's peace is destroyed, and his inspires with courage him who practises it. life embittered by the necessity he is under Falsehood strips the mind of its conscious of driving from his house his own child and dignity, keeps a man perpetually in fear, puts the unhappy mother. Whether the good invention continually on the rack to prevent man were criminal or not, in the assumption the means of detection. But the weakness of Hagar as his concubine, sure I am, first of man shall not make the purpose of God of and last, he smarts severely for it. And none effect. Sarah, now pregnant of the Isaac, the covenant head and representative promised seed, is miraculously protected of of the church, begins at an early period of Heaven, and the truth of God in Abimelech's life indeed, to suffer persecution from the dream exposes Abraham's waking deception.jealousy and malignity of the serpent's issue. "Surely, O Lord, the wrath of man shall praise thee."

Abimelech, by the various uncommon circumstances which had affected his family and kingdom, from the time that Abraham had come into it, being fully persuaded that he was a favourite of Heaven, endeavours by presents and courtesy to attach him closely to himself, and prevails with him to accept a habitation in his country. There, it was so determined of Providence, Sarah, was delivered of the long expected son of promise. Time creeps or flies to us, according to our hopes or our fears, our sorrows, or our joys; but with God, there is no quickness or slowness of progression, no distance of place or time. Our eagerness and impatience cannot accelerate, our reluctance or aversion cannot retard his purpose a single instant of time. The joy of such an event is rather to be imagined than described. The birth of a child is always matter of unutterable satisfaction to the mother at least; what then must have been the solid, the heart-felt joy of Abraham and Sarah, on the birth of a son, the heir of great possessions, the father and founder of a mighty nation, the progenitor, according to the flesh, of the Saviour of the world; given by promise, and raised up by a miracle! Sarah herself, it would appear, performed the maternal office of suckling this precious child; neither her high rank, nor abundant affluence, nor advanced period of life, are pleaded to exempt her from this task of nature. According to the custom of the times, Abraham made a great entertainment on the day that Isaac was weaned, when probably he was solemnly recognized as Abraham's heir, and by some public act invested with his rights as such. This would naturally excite the envy and displeasure of Ishmael, and produced that insolent or contemptuous behaviour, which our translation renders by

Gen. xx. 12.

Thus, in every state and condition of human life, God sets one thing against another, that we may still and ever be brought to the recollection, that "this is not our rest." We are more surprised at the slender provision with which Hagar and Ishmael are dismissed, than at the dismission itself. That the patriarch, for the sake of peace at home, should consent to part with the bond woman and her son, is very conceivable; but that they should be turned adrift into the wide world, without protection, without attendant, without provision, except so much bread and water as the wretched mother could carry upon her own shoulders; these are circumstances, which, on the usual principles of human conduct, appear altogether strange and unaccountable. But in God, the fatherless and the friendless ever find mercy. Lost in the wilderness, outcast from society, disowned and rejected, ready to perish with hunger and thirst, they meet with attention from Him who feeds the ravens, and without whom a sparrow falleth not to the ground.

We may well suppose that Ishmael's expulsion from his father's house and fortunes, and the way of life into which it forced him, would greatly increase his natural ferocity of temper, and contribute to form and fix that character which was given of him by the angel before he was born, "he shall be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren." God brings his predictions to pass, not always, nor generally, by miraculous interposition, but by the operation and concur rence of natural causes. "He became an archer," lived by declaring war on the beasts of the field, and gradually brought himself to bear, and even to prefer that way of living, which had at first been obtruded upon him by the strong hand of necessity. So happily is our nature framed, that use at length re