the brightest day of divine revelation made to him, fully to conceive. "God hath provided some better thing for us; that they without us should not be made perfect."

1

But to whom much is given, from them will much be required. If the magnificent prospect of an evangelical heritage dwell brightly in our eye, it should enlighten our hearts; it should fill our hearts, who feel it to be our own, and make us desire to walk worthy of God, who hath called us to his kingdom and glory.

II. If this portion of the history of Abram has been properly examined, it teaches one plain, obvious, and most momentous lesson, both to the sinner and to the saint:-That "godliness is profitable for all things: having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."2 Abram leaves the richer portion for Lot, and is contented with that which is worse: but then Jehovah comes to be his portion, and to satisfy him with the exceeding abundance of mercy and love. Lot's gain lasts but a little time, and then perishes in the fires of Sodom. Abram's part is unchangeable. His comforts are increased, his fame is spread

1 Heb. xi. 40.

2 Tim. iv. 8.

abroad, and his holy familiarity with God becomes more frequent and more uninterrupted. It will ever thus be found by all true Christian experience. It will assuredly be learned, that Jesus was the faithful and true Witness when He said, 66 Every one who hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life."1 Arise then, ye who are partakers of Abram's holy faith, and walk through the land of your salvation, in the length and breadth of its present blessedness, as well as of that which shall be imparted, when you shall be no more sojourners, but be made actually possessors of the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. And whensoever you sit down, after this close and active examination of faith, frequently repeated, remember the covenant God of all your mercies. In every plain of Mamre, where you may be providentially called to dwell, set up an altar of praise to Jehovah. Ground it firmly in love; build it high and strong in faith; and enjoy the privilege of communing with God before it, in the experimental life of his grace.

1 Matt. xix. 29.

SERMON XVII.

ABRAM AND MELChizedek.

GENESIS XIV. 18-20.

AND MELCHIzedek King OF SALEM BROUGHT FORTH BREAD AND WINE: AND HE WAS THE PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. AND HE BLESSED HIM, AND SAID, BLESSED BE ABRAM OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, POSSESSOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH; AND BLESSED BE THE MOST HIGH GOD WHICH HATH DELIVERED THINE ENEMIES INTO THINE HAND. AND HE GAVE HIM TITHES OF ALL.

THE moon revolves around the earth by a law of force fixed and invariable; but is yet seen under a variety of aspects in different points of her orbit. It is thus with a Christian in the world. "His life is hid with Christ in God," "He is kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation." But his providential circumstances at one period of his heavenly course, are extremely unlike those, in which he

1 Col. iii. 3.

21 Peter i. 5.

is at other times placed, according to the will of his Heavenly Father. Yet however greatly they may differ to the eye of sense, they all— and that invariably, work together for his good. The history of Abram may serve to exemplify this remark. We have seen him a stranger, and a man of peace in Canaan; with no other defence than the horns of the altar, which he had erected in faith, and dedicated to the honour of Jehovah. We are now to regard him as a warrior, taking up arms to deliver the oppressed, and to snatch the prey out of the hand of the mighty. Here however, as in former exhibitions of his character, we find him actuated by the same dispositions, and consistent in the holy principles of his conduct. And his example should be followed through all the varieties of Christian experience. If the love of God be shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost, there is a happy unity of principle with the will of the Most High, to regulate the sincere disciple in all the contingencies of life, and to preserve him the same man, according to the mind that was in Christ Jesus, "in all time of his tribulation, and in all time of his wealth."

A pregnant instance of this truth will appear,

by noticing, from the chapter now under review,

1. ABRAM'S VICTORY OVER THE CONFEDE

RATED KINGS.

1

It does not seem probable, that Lot was actively engaged as a party in this war, by joining the people among whom he dwelt, in their resistance to the invasion of Chedorlaomer. He was not on that account, however, to escape the general injury and violence. The kings of Sodom aud Gomorrah fled, and fell. "Their goods, and all their victuals were taken. The spoilers also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dawelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed." No sooner did tidings of this disaster reach Abram, from one who had escaped the slaughter and captivity, than he immediately prepared for the rescue of his kinsman. All the selfishness of Lot is forgotten: his danger alone is remembered: and with the prompt intrepidity of a man, whose life was that of habitual faith and dependance upon God, Abram resolves to follow and give battle to the five kings, with only his domestic servants, trained in his family; and (through the divine blessing) to deliver his nephew.

1 Gen. xiv. 11, 12.