fore them, and he stood by them under the tree and they did eat." What a beautiful account of the simplicity and hospitality of the times in which Abraham lived. To him these Angels appeared to be three strangers on a journey. As soon as he saw them, they being but a short distance from his tent, he rose up to bid them welcome to his tent. Though he was an old man of 99 years, yet he ran to meet and bowed himself before them, in token of respect. He addressed himself to one of them, who appeared most likely supe rior to the others. He requested that they would turn aside to his tent, supposing them to be weary and overcome with heat. He requested that they would sit down under the oak, near his tent, and wash their feet and take a little refreshment to strengthen them for their journey; if it was only a morsel of bread. They accepted his invi tation. He then desired Sarah to make cakes and bake them: while he, old as he was, ran to the herd, and fetched the best calf, that he could find, which he gave to a servait, to dress as quick as possible. The veal was then set before his visitors, with but

ter

ter and milk, and while they ate, he stood by to wait upon them and help them to any thing else they might want. No grand and magnificent entertainment, no table covered with fine linen, no dainties, no varieties, no forced meats, no sweetmeats, no pickles, no preserves, none of these fine things, when Abraham entertained his visitors. No wines, no madeira or sparkling champaigne, no good old port on the table. No side-board of plate. Probably a mat spread on the ground, under the shade of the tree, a joint or two of veal with a few cakes, both hastily dressed, accompanied with butter and milk. It was thus that he "entertained Angels unawares."

III. The DESIGN of their VISIT. A Message of Grace and Mercy to Abraham and a commission of inquiry and judgment on Sodom.

1. A message of grace and mercy to Abraham.

While they sat at dinner, they inquired of Abraham where Sarah his wife was. And he said behold in the tent. They then confirmed the promise of a son to Abraham, and Sarah

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Sarah heard what they said, for she stood at the entrance of the tent behind them. And Sarah laughed within herself. And the Lord said unto Abraham, wherefore did Sarah laugh? Is any thing too hard for the Lord ? Sarah thought that as she only laughed to herself, that it was not known. She endeavours to conceal her fault, because it was a laugh of doubt and distrust, she thought the news was too good to be true. There fore Sarah denied, saying I laughed not, for she was afraid. And he said, nay, but thou didst laugh. Thus she was detected and reproved. We cannot hide any thing that is passing in our minds from God. He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2. They have a commission of inquiry and judgment to execute at Sodom, and they informed Abraham what it was.

"And the men rose up from thence and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.". This he did to honor them and show them the respect he had for them. While they were walking, Jehovah in the form of a man

said

said unto the other two, who appear to be created angels; "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do, seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and that they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him. And the Lord said, because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, and which is come to me, and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence and went towards Sodom." Abraham must know, because he is the friend of God, and because he will teach his household. See here how highly God approves of family religion, family prayer and instruction.

IV.

CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What are the words of the Text? "And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw

them he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground."

2. At what time of the day was this visit made to Abraham? "In the heat of the day," about noon.

3. Did Abraham invite them to stay? Yes. "Pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant."

4. What did Abraham offer them first? A little water to wash their feet.

5. Did he offer them any thing to cat! Yes, he said, I will fetch a morsel of bread.

6. Did they accept his invitation? Yes, they said "so do as thou hast said."

7. What did Abraham tell Sarah to do? To make cakes and bake them.

8. What did Abraham himself do? He ran to the herd and fetched a calf, tender and good. 9. To whom did he give the calf to dress? One of his young men.

10. What did Abraham give them besides the cakes and the calf? He took butter and milk and set it before them.

11. What sin was Sarah guilty of? She laughed within herself, and then she said, that she did not laugh.