quarters of the earth shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Abraham and other ancient saints "died in faith, not having received the promises, [that is, not having received the things promised, as Christians receive them: Heb. xi. 39, 40.] but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed, that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." They desired a "heavenly" country: "wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city."

In the faith of Abraham and of all the ancient saints, in the faith of the apostles, and all true Christians, there is only a circumstantial difference. To the ancient, and Christian church, there is one Lord, and, essentially, one faith. Under every dispensation, saving faith embraces Christ, and unites the soul to him; it works by love, and is expressed by obedience to the Divine will.

Abraham was the covenant father of such only of his natural seed, as walked in the steps of his faith. He received the seal of the righteousness of faith; that he might be the "father of circumcision to them, who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the

steps of that faith, which he had, being yet uncircumcised." Abraham was commanded to

do some things, which were not required of his natural covenant seed; but as to the substance of his faith and obedience, they were to walk in the same steps. They were to love God with all their hearts, to embrace the promise of the Messiah, to put entire confidence in the truth of whatever God revealed, and to practise all the duties, which he required.

Abraham, who was justified by faith, and died above 300 years, before "the law was given by Moses," obeyed God's "voice, and kept" his "charge," his "commandments," his "statutes, and" his "laws." Previously to the giving of the law, the LORD, by Moses, said to the children of Israel, "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bear you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." According to what our Saviour says, “many prophets and kings" "and righteous men" walked in the steps of Abraham's faith, desiring to see and hear, but not seeing and hearing those glo

:

rious things, which Christians have the blessedness to see and hear. In the xi. of Hebrews, those many ancient saints are spoken of with honour, and some of their names are mentioned. By faith they wrought righteousness, endured bitter sufferings, obtained great victories, received signal mercies, and experienced wonderful deliverances. By faith they were animated to pursue that noble conduct, which, while some of them on account of that conduct, were exiled, as it were, from the world, showed that the world was not worthy of them. Hence we see, that, though wickedness so much abounded among those, who by circumcision were the professed people of God, there were among them many true saints. Even in the time of Elijah, there were "seven thousand men," who did not worship Baal.

All the ancient saints "died in faith" [except Enoch and Elijah, who without dying were translated.] "All" of them, "having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: [the glorious things promised] God having provided some better thing for" Christians, "that" the ancient believers "should not be made perfect" "without" the believers in Jesus. Those, who are called by the gospel

of Jesus, effectually called, "receive" that "eternal inheritance,”* which was virtually ̋ promised to Abraham and his seed. They now receive it, in this sense, that they have a bright prospect of it in the gospel, through which life and immortality are brought to light, and they receive the "Holy Spirit," which was promised, and which is "the earnest of" their "inheritance."t

It was the duty of the Israelites heartily to conform themselves to the Mosaic law, after it was given. All its commands were to be obeyed with faith. The penitent and obedient walked in the steps of Abraham's faith; and righteousness was imputed to them. Thus Zacharias and Elizabeth walked, and thus they were blessed. But the circumcision of the impenitent and unbelieving became uncircumcision.

The Israelites were forbidden to mingle with the heathen nations. They were considered a holy seed; and commanded to make no covenant with those nations, among whom they dwelt, but to keep themselves distinct from the rest of the world; that they might be a peculiar people, a holy nation.

* See Heb. ix. 15. † See Eph. i. 13, 14. ‡ See Deut. vii. 2. Ezra. ix. 2, and Ps. cvi. 35.

The Israelites were to apply the seal of the covenant to their infant offspring in faith. This was required of them in their generations; and, when strangers united with them, they received the seal for themselves and their households. Thus God's covenant was sealed with his ancient church, both parents and children. Without the seal of the righteousness of faith, none might partake of the passover, nor come into the sanctuary of God.*

The Israelites were to teach their children concerning religion. It was expressly enjoined upon parents to lay up Divine commands in their own hearts, and teach them diligently to their children; that God's law and statutes might be made known to after generations. When believing parents circumcised their children, but did not teach them the way of the Lord, and restrain them from sin, they departed from the steps of Abraham. Some true saints neglected parental duty to the ruin of their children. Eli was a good man, but his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not; and this proved their ruin. But some parents in Israel were faithful, and covenant blessings descended to their children. Samuel had a pious and faith

* Ex. xii. 48. Ezek. xliv. 7.