mercy, in delivering him from those snares, and those judgments into which he had so lightly cast himself. In like manner, the sin of the Jews, in crucifying the Lord of glory, was the instrument whereby God consummated the world's salvation. The death of Stephen extended the Gospel of life, by scattering abroad its preachers from Jerusalem, throughout many lands. The sharp contention of Paul and Barnabas, which led to their separation, brought more nations within hearing of the word of life, than if they had remained together. The wrath of man thus praises God, and the remainder of that wrath He will restrain. Beware, however, of the tremendous delusion of thinking, that though God may overrule man's sin to his own glory, man may therefore sin with impunity; that his iniquity may abound, in order that God's grace may much more abound. The blood of the Son of God was upon the Jews, and upon their children, for crucifying the Lord of glory; although you and I have the means of life and mercy, instrumentally through their dreadful guilt. Walk then, in his way, in his blessing, in his love and leave the acts of his sovereignty to his own wise disposal, lest ye die in your sins.

III. Lastly, Learn hence, The blessing of heavenly-mindedness. If Abram had seen nothing beyond Canaan, he would hardly have given up the best portion of it to Lot; but the view of the Canaan which awaited his soul in separate bliss, and his soul and body at the second coming of Christ, made him independent of the lesser present good. The latter had no glory in his regard, by reason of the excelling glory of the former. "He rejoiced to see the day of Christ, he saw it, and was glad.” This was all his salvation, and therefore all his desire: and here he had in Jesus, chosen that good part which could not be taken away from him. No other principle, than that of having our conversation in heaven, can rock our peevish spirits to sleep in difficulties; and make us live above the world. Such a tone of mind takes God at his word, in present trial and little outward hope. "Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain: yet that valley, which appears so dry, shall be filled with water." "Let your conversation then be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave you,

1 John viii. 56.

22 Kings iii. 17.

Discontent is a

I will never forsake you."1 serpent, which stings those only who, like the serpent's self, creep upon earth. Heavenlymindedness is the eagle's wing, to lift you above it, to the region of brightness, purity, and peace in Christ.

1 Heb. xiii. 5.

SERMON XVI.

RIGHTEOUS RETRIBUTION.

GENESIS XIII. 14-17.

THE LORD SAID UNTO ABRAM, AFTER THAT LOT WAS SEPARATED FROM HIM, LIFT UP NOW THINE EYES, AND LOOK FROM THE PLACE WHERE THOU ART, NORTHWARD AND SOUTHWARD, AND EASTWARD AND WESTWARD. FOR ALL THE LAND WHICH THOU SEEST, TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED FOR EVER. AND I WILL MAKE THY SEED AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH: SO THAT IF A MAN CAN NUMBER THE DUST OF THE EARTH, THEN SHALL THY SEED ALSO BE NUMBERED. ARISE, WALK THROUGH THE LAND, IN THE LENGTH OF IT, AND IN THE BREADTH OF IT FOR I WILL

GIVE IT UNTO THEE.

THE Bible is at once the most ancient, and the most authentic, of all historical records. The penmen by whom it was actually written, were many; but the whole amazing volume was begun, continued, and ended by one Author, even God the Holy Ghost. The principle of its composition, and the matter contained in it, might therefore be expected

to differ exceedingly from those of any other book in the world. And such is really the case. Other histories describe the rise, vicissitudes, and decline of empires; the political experiments made upon them; and the wars, of which each was in its turn the prize. The word of God, on the other hand, passes rapidly over these portions of providential administration; or turns from them altogether, to rest and dwell upon incidents in the lives of private men, of whom the world knew nothing; but of whom the world was not worthy. The history of redemption as much surpasses in importance-God being Judge-the annals of the mightiest of all earthly monarchies, as the concerns of eternity outweigh those of time and sense. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation" saith Jehovah," shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." Therefore do we find Abram's personal history occupying a prominent situation in the oracles

6.