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their Correspondents will seasonably furnish them with such materials that the present volume may not be inferior to those which have preceded it. The Editors deem it unnecessary to expatiate upon the utility of such a publication, if judiciously conducted, or upon the importance of the object to which the profits of this Magazine are appropri ated. These will readily strike every serious, reflecting mind; and a confidence is entertained that the work will not be suffered to stop for want of the liberal patronage of purchasers, or suitable materials from correspondents to render is interesting and instructive to the Reader.

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HE Sacred Scriptures bear ample testimony to the high esteem in which Abraham was held by the only wise God, who is never deceived in characters. Such an esteem must have been occasioned by some excellent spirit discerned in him, which rendered him totally dif ferent from his idolatrous cotemporaries, from the men of the world in all ages, and particularly from his degenerate posterity, the carnal Jews. Christ in conversation with these Jews denied their right to call Abraham their spiritual father. He referred them to several things wherein this father of the faithful essentially differed from them: the sum of which things may be considered as given in the text.

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It is believed, brethren, that the character of this patriarch may with propriety be brought into view on the present occa sion, since the Holy Ghost has testified that," what is written sake alone, but for us also"of him was not written for his since we of the Gentiles partake of the blessings promised in his seed-and since, with the high approbation of his maker, he joyfully devoted his heart and life to the same cause which we now profess to have in view, and which we hope we prefer above our chief joy." Your attention is invited,

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1. To the view which Abraham had of the day of Christ.

2. To the influence which this view had upon his heart and life.

1. The view which Abraham had of the day of Christ.

The promise made to Abraham signified, that in his “seed i. e. Christ, all nations of the earth should be blessed." We are informed, that “God preached the Gospel to Abraham.Gal. iii. 8. That which constitutes the chief excellence of the Gospel, constituted the chief

excellence of the view referred should reach the uttermost parts

to in the text.

It may, accordingly, be observed, that the most interesting part of the view which this friend of God and of mankind had of the day of Christ, was his appearance upon earth to reveal the gracious counsels of his Father; and as the author of everlasting happiness to multitudes besides his own posterity; and eventually to all the nations of the earth.

1. The perfections of the most High were then to be fully and clearly displayed. The unsearchable love of God would then shine upon the earth with a brightness before unknown-accompanied by his sovereign wisdom and power, justice and faithfulness, mercy and truth.

of the earth, and all nations taste the salvation of God. Deity dis played all his perfections seen to harmonize-millions and millions made happy-a Paradise upon earth-a revenue of glory to the great Author of all this happiness!

My Christian friends, can there be a doubt that a view of the day of Christ was a very justifiable ground of joy? Let our attention be directed,

2. To the influence which this view had upon the heart and life of Abraham.

He rejoiced, saith the Saviour, that he was permitted to see this day. He rejoiced with an eager desire to obtain as perfect a view as possible; and in proportion to the clearness of the view, his holy, benevolent heart glowed with delight.

A strong affectionate faith nited him to the Messsiah and to his cause by an inviolable at

In full confidence that God was immutably faithful, he "staggered not through unbelief” at any difficulties or apparent impossibilities in the way of duty.

At that day God would pubficly manifest himself in the flesh. "The only begotten Son who was in the bosom of the Father, would proceed forth and come down to this world to "de-tachment. clare him," so that men and Angels might "see his glory."And finally he would close his public appearance upon earth by such an exhibition of love as the universe had never beheld before, "the Son of the Highest" offering his life a ransom for enemies. Then would the law of God be highly magnified, Satan vanquished, and an everlasting righteousness brought in.

2. The extensive spread of happiness. Abraham delighted to contemplate the divine perfections. He wished all the world to behold them and be happy. The day of Christ would introduce this most desirable event. Then should the "word go forth the day spring from on high should spread;" till it

In him we observe that sure mark of true religion, a tender regard for the Divine honor. How evident did this appear in his intercession with the Deity, on the plains of Mamre. How evident also, in his refusal of the goods offered him in the valley of Shaveh, lest any, except Jehovah, should have the honor of making him rich.

Assured that the Messiah should come in his family, and the true religion be entrusted with them, he was strict to regulate his household according to the precepts of God. While

other families went into idolatry,ters. he laboured to fix upon his the character of piety.

All his worldly arrangements were made subservient to the cause of religion. There was no particular spot where he settled, but what he held himself in readiness to leave at the Divine call. Seperate from Christ" and the promotion of religion he avowed no interests, no pursuits,

no treasures.

Wherever we follow him in his pilgrimage from place to place, we easily trace his foot steps by the monuments of his piety and devotion-altars erected-where "he called upon the name of the LORD." He publicly honored the Messiah with his substance, in the person of Melchisedek-a priest of the most high God" after a peculiar order-the noted representative of Christ in that day. To this illustrious character the patriarch imparted a "tythe of all," as a pledge that his substance was consecrated to the service of one who was to be made a "priest according to the power of an endless life." He wished the world to know that Jehovah was his shield. He obtained his wish. The princes around him,

truth made to him this acknowl edgment, "God is with thee in all thou dost.”

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Such was the influence which

The promises belonging to the day of Christ, though "afar off," were realized, and sweetly engaged the ardent attention of his soul. And having his will entirely swallowed up in the will of God, he stood continually in the attitude of one listening to the voice of his sovereign. This voice was the supreme law of his heart. Did this voice di-struck with the evidences of its rect him “Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee?" Immediate ly" he went out not knowing view of the day of Christ had whither he went." Did the upon the heart and life of Abrasame voice command him, "A- ham. Attracted by the glory braham take now thy son-thine of that day, which in his view. only son Isaac-whom thou lov shone with a lustre superior to est-offer him for a burnt offer all earthly things, he lived" a ing upon one of the mountains pilgrim and stranger on the which I will tell thee?" To him earth." His time, his possesit was sufficient to be assured sions, his habitation, his worldly that GOD had given this com- arrangements, yea, his tender mand. He arose. He took his attachment to a beloved son, beloved Isaac with full purpose were all made to subserve the of heart to obey; knowing, that cause of that Saviour, whose tho' Isaac should be offered, God day he saw, and in whose day would easily fulfil his promises. he rejoiced. He persevered in When the same authority com- faith and obedience till his life manded him to "stay his hand" and his trials were in the same he desisted, and not till then.-moment finished successfully His obedience was implicit, finished. "He died in the faith, prompt and persevering. seeing the promises afar off," He was not afraid nor asham- fully persuaded that he who had ed to appear on the side of Je-promised would assuredly perhovah, tho' in the midst of idola form, and leaving behind him

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war any more. The lofty looks "of man shall be humbled, and "the haughtiness of men shall "be bowed down; and the LORD "alone shall be exalted in that "day. The wolf also shall "dwell with the lamb, and the "leopard shall lie down with the "kid, and a little child shall lead "them. They shall not hurt 66 nor destroy in all my holy "mountain: for the earth shall "be full of the knowledge of the

"sea." Psa. lxxii. Isa. xlii. 4. Psa. Ixviii. 31. Rev. xv. 4. Psa. xxii. 27. Dan. xii. 4. Isa. ii. 4, 11. and xi. 6, 9. Hab. ii. 14.

The faith and obedience of Abraham derive some special lustre from the circumstances of the age in which he lived; but it must not be forgotten, that there can be no essential moral difference between him and the friends of God in every age."All drink into one Spirit." All must be tried.". From all is required a temper essentially the same. So surely as our souls" LORD, as the waters cover the live, our professed faith and love will be justified by obedience, if they are not vain. There are now the same things to excite faith and exertion that there have ever been. The same God and Saviour the same joy-the same supports-and the same prospects, brought near by the lapse of centuries and shining brighter as we approach them. To the anointed Saviour, both their Lord and ours, are the promises made, that "He shall "have dominion from sea to sea "and from the river unto the "ends of the earth. They that "dwell in the wilderness shall "bow down before him. The "kings of Tarshish shall bring 66 presents. Ethiopia shall stretch 66 out her hands unto God. The "Isles shall wait for his law. "All nations shall call him bles"sed-yea, all kings shall fall "down before him. All the kin"dreds of the nations shall wor"ship before him. Many shall 66 run to and fro, and knowledge

Look upon the prospect opened by these promises. It is not an illusion. It is made substantial by the "counsel of God and confirmed by his oath, that we might have strong consolation." It is not possible for these promises to fail. The Lord, “ faithful and true" has made them. The Lord, who "is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent.— Here then is the faith and patience of the saints. Need it be added, that Jehovah has hitherto faithfully accomplished each promise in its season, for more than five thousand years?

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

On the Holiness of the Inspired
Writers of the Sacred Scrip-

tures.

IT

T has been the general idea of the Church, in all ages,

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