SERMON VIII.

ABRAHAM LEAVING HIS COUNTRY.

Hebrews, x1. 8, 9, 10.—By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place, which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed: and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:-for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

THE actions which have entailed distinction, and celebrity on their authors, have been very different in their actual effects; and no less so in their true character. Many have been mischievous in their kind, and malignant in their principles. Many which were beneficial in their results were accomplished by a spirit, and purpose which designed no such good; whilst in instances. not a few, a misguided zeal has proposed ends which were visionary, and endeavored to effect them by means which were detestable, and the results of which were miseries many, and grievous. These include a large proportion of those men, and deeds which the page of history records, and is designed to crown with perpetual glory. Many of those who were deservedly illustrious, who were more pure in principle, as well as more benignant in their effects, are so singular in their circumstances as to be chiefly objects of admiration; but so remote from the experience of ordinary life as to minister little to our practical knowledge, or our virtuous constancy. The examples which sacred history proposes to our admiration, and imitation are free from all the objections which lie against those cases to which I have referred. The characters which God crowns with the highest honor were formed on principles the most pure, and employed in purposes, and labors the most important. They are examples which may, always, be contemplated with profit; because the ends which they sought, and the motives which they felt are

those which we should seek, and feel. These were the glory of God, and the good of man, pursued under the guidance, authority, and sustaining influence of faith working by love; that faith which regards supremely the approbation of the invisible God, and the blessedness of the heavenly world. Such, eminently, was the character of Abraham, the principles which governed him, and the ends to which he was devoted. In the list of pious worthies he stands, and will ever stand preeminent. His signal faith will be held in everlasting remembrance; and affords to all generations an instructive example. To possess the faith of Abraham is evidence of acceptance with God, and of unfeigned piety. To be children of faithful Abraham, implies also being children of God, with his filial reverence, and confidence, his unreserved submission, and his prompt, and self-denying obedience. With several illustrations of his cheerful devotion to the will of God, the Apostle here presents us. Let us consider, specially, that which our text records. "By faith Abraham when he was called to go out," &c.

1st. What was the obedience which, with promptness, and constancy, he rendered to the call, and requirement of God? 2d. The influence of his faith, and the manner of its operation.

1st. Let us consider the obedience which, with promptness, and constancy, he rendered to the call, and requirement of God. There are three prominent facts in this case. He left his own native country, and place; he went out not knowing whither he went; in the place of his destination, to which he was conducted, he was, merely, a sojourner.

1st. At the call of God he left his own native country and place. This case involved many things painful to nature, and which offered violence to his affectionate sensibilities, and fond attachments. The very language in which the command was delivered, was adapted to stir up those tender, and painful emotions. "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." Our country, or the place

where we have early, or long dwelt, is usually regarded with peculiar attachment. Its hills, and valleys, its fields, and forests, its mountains, and its streams, and every scene become interesting to us by numberless associations. Though to other eyes. they may present few, and inconsiderable claims to regard, we cannot contemplate them without special interest. Not only does the face of nature in those long known, and familiar scenes hold our affection by some unaccountable endearment; but interest, usage, and society have created attachments which cannot be broken but by unwelcome, and painful violence. Those attachments are greatly strengthened when that country is the home of our kindred, and the place of our father's house. Where, in addition to the ordinary ties which grow out of long-continued, near, and frequent society, are the stronger, and more endearing regards which are created by consanguinity, and affinity; by our considering ourselves as parts of one family, and but a little removed from the same common parents. These circumstances which bind our affections to our native place, our country, and our home make separation from it difficult. And this difficulty will be felt most by those who possess in the highest degree the sensibilities of kind affection, and generous friendship. All these circumstances were in the case of Abram. He set not out with the ardor of youth, that love of novelty, and fondness of hope which are the ordinary stimulants of that period of life. He was now in the seventy-fifth year of his life. His attachments, habits, associations, and worldly plans, and prospects were probably all settled down to that place, and condition in which providence had for so long a time disposed of him. No claims of a numerous family urged him to new schemes, and scenes of enterprise. No oppression, nor any other grievous circumstances existed as reasons of seeking liberty, or property, or happiness in some more favored climes. Nor did the high sounding fame of some distant land spread before him the splendid visions of an earthly paradise, and a happier home. No, he was called to renounce long known possessions, and long tried enjoyments, for places, and condition, and circumstances unseen,

and unknown, unheard of, and untried. It was what worldly wisdom would call letting go a certainty, for an uncertainty, and would be considered as the weakness and restlessness of visionary

old age,

This 2d fact in the case of Abram the apostle records with special emphasis-" He went out not knowing whither he went." A prudent man under the ordinary guidance, merely and only of sober thought, and sound discretion would have had many questions, of no small importance to agitate, and settle. About to leave his early home with all its attachments, interests, and associations for a new destination, he would naturally desire to know the quality of the country to which he was about to remove: the character of its population: the length, and probable difficulties of the journey, and what he had, when there, to expect, or to fear. The nature and advantages of a country usually determine men's preference and choice, according to the pursuits. in which they design to be occupied. As these are various, so different regions offer, variously, different inducements. But if men be wholly ignorant of the peculiar adaptations, and resources of different countries they can have no reason of preference. A destination thus blindly determined may utterly disappoint their wishes, utterly frustrate their anticipations of wealth, usefulness, and enjoyment; and even render their condition less favourable than it had previously been. Human wisdom, very properly, takes this into the account, and makes the change, on what it considers as greater ascertained advantages. Not seldom do they think it best to explore it personally, and by actual examination obtain the information necessary to warrant the expense, and toil, and other sacrifices incident to the possession, settlement, and enjoyment of a new residence in a strange land,

Prudence would regard as no less important the character of the population in which they would miugle, and with which new relations, and associations were to be formed. On these the comfort of an individual, and still more the peace, real enjoyment, and welfare of a family greatly depends. The most eminent advantages of fertility of soil, or other means of earthly abundance may

be rendered very ineligible by the character of the society by which it is occupied. This fact has an instructive, and awful illustration in the choice which Lot made when separating from Abraham, he chose the plain of Jordan, well watered, and in fertility, and beauty as the garden of the Lord. The history of man abounds with examples of similar ill directed choice, where abounding corrupt manners, and the absence of moral, and religious means and influences, only made worldly prosperity and plenty more eminently mischievous. In the selection of a family. residence it is a question of the utmost importance what will be the dominant social circumstances, and influences there? will they cherish tranquillity, and order, justice, and purity, virtue, and religion or, will they expose all these to fearful hazard? The length, and probable difficulties of the journey would be regarded as important items in the calculation which would determine the abandonment of a long enjoyed home for one new, and untried. Will it reward the toil will it justify the hazards? will it repay all the sacrifices which its acquisition, and possession will cost? To Abraham none of these things was known, These calculations he could not make-" he knew not whither he went." He would find a place; but, its distance, its advantages, its society, and various goods and ills he could not know. We, however, may not infer from these facts that the conduct of Abraham was a wild, and reasonless adventure which left to accident, and chance a matter of such serious importance. He had the soundest reasons to justify the course which he pursued; and he had more perfect knowledge to regulate his decisions than all earthly wisdom, caution, and foresight could have given. He was under the guidance of God. His direction, and guardian care were a pledge unfailing, that his course, progress, destination, and whole allotment would be in all respects the best.

Through all the downward tracks of time

God's watchful eye surveys;

O, who so wise to choose our lot,

And regulate our ways?

A 3d fact in the case of Abraham was that in the place of his