country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee," a promise was annexed, which clearly foreshowed the coming of the Messiah, the only source and channel through which all the children of men may be restored to the favour of God, and to the blessing of everlasting life. To the divine declaration, that Abram should become "a great nation," and be blessed, and be a blessing, the Almighty added this most gracious assurance : "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." And when, after the personal advent of the Redeemer, the Apostle Paul addressed the Galatian converts on the spiritual nature of the Christian covenant, as distinguished from that of an outward or ceremonial dispensation, he referred to the declaration thus made by the Lord to his servant Abraham; and testified that not the Jews only, but the Gentiles also, become the children of Abraham by a living faith in Christ; and that the Holy Spirit, the Inspirer of the Scripture, "foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."

During his sojourning in Canaan, many remarkable events occurred to Abram: the Almighty Jehovah repeatedly appeared unto him, and conversed with him -sometimes as the Angel of the Lord, and also even in human form.

After awhile Lot, Abraham's brother's son, separated from him, because, in consequence of their great substance, in "flocks, and herds, and tents," "the land

was not able to bear them that they might dwell together." And "Lot journeyed eastward, and pitched his tent toward Sodom." Much evil was the result of this settlement near that city; for "the men of Sodom were sinners before the Lord exceedingly." And it came to pass that four kings, who governed adjoining territories, fought against the five kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar, and prevailed against them, and carried away their people captive, with all their goods; and they took Lot also, and his goods. Abram, with some confederates, rescued Lot, with the people, and the spoil of these cities of the plain.

On his return from this exploit, he was met by a most remarkable person-"Melchizedek, king of Salem," who "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, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand." And Abram "gave Him tithes of all." In the brief narrative of the sacred historian, the character of this mysterious person is but faintly unveiled; but we are permitted to receive additional light respecting Him, from the Epistle to the Hebrews, which informs us that His Name indicates His divine character; "first, being by interpretation, King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God." His priesthood is "not

after the law of a carnal (or outward) commandment, but after the power of an endless life." For the Apostle declares that He "abideth a priest continually:" and, explaining the spiritual nature of the priesthood under the gospel, as opposed to that of the law, which, with all its rites, ceremonies, tithes, and offerings, is done away in Christ, he remarks, in reference to the sons of Levi, "Here men that die receive tithes ;" but, of Melchizedek he adds, "There He receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed, that He liveth.” Well might the Apostle say, "Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." Thus we have a mystical, yet unquestionable similitude, or appearance, of Christ Himself, our "High Priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

CHAP. XVI.-"After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." And Abram continued childless: yet the Lord "brought him forth and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars if thou be able to number them; and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be:" and Abram "believed in the Lord, and He counted it to him for righteousness."-" And when Abram was ninety and nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect."-"And Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt

be a father of many nations, neither shall thy name any more be called Abram (i. e. a high father,) but thy name shall be Abraham (i. e. the father of a great multitude,) for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee." This promise, an amplification of that which had before been repeatedly given to the patriarch, was exactly fulfilled: not only were the twelve tribes of Israel descended from him, but the children of Ishmael, his son by Hagar, were "twelve princes according to their nations," inhabiting districts of Arabia.* There is, however, a yet higher purpose revealed in this language of the Most High, as it refers to the "everlasting covenant" of redemption, through Jesus Christ, the seed of the woman, who was to proceed from Abraham. And that the patriarch was permitted, by faith, to comprehend somewhat of the nature of this covenant, we may perceive, from the declaration of the Lord Jesus to the gainsaying Jews, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad."

Ishmael was Abraham's first born, and was tenderly beloved by his father: but Jehovah said to the patriarch, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called." And the apostle Paul speaks of the two sons as being an allegorical or typical representation of the carnal or first nature of the human mind, and of the second or rege

* Abraham's children also by Keturah, all became heads of na

nerate state; having an especial reference to the inheritance enjoyed by the believers in Christ, and the abrogation of the ritual covenant.

In the posterity of Ishmael, the Arabian tribes, we have a standing memorial of the purpose of God, who declared to Hagar that her son should "be a wild man," that "his hand" should "be against every man, and every man's hand against him," and that he should "dwell in the presence of all his brethren." This continues, even to the present day, to be exactly verified; for, whilst all other nations have been subdued and scattered, the wild and roving inhabitants of the Arabian desert, living in perpetual antagonism with all, have been conquered by none; but still dwell in their own land, in the presence of all their brethren.

CHAP. XVII. Again was Abraham favoured with a personal intercourse with Jehovah, who condescended to visit him in human form, and to permit his servant to enjoy the most remarkable communication with his Creator of which we have any historical record. For "Jehovah appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre," as, "he sat by his tent-door in the heat of the day." And Abraham "lifted 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." Of these three heavenly, though apparently human visitors, one was specially addressed by Abraham, as the superior and directing person and Abraham "said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee,