3. But next, be it remarked, Lot did by this conduct relinquish advantages of infinite value. "They separated themselves the one from the other." What was this but to quit the pious circle of Abraham's household? He left the ancient family-altar! Most probably he departed with the solemn counsels and prayers of Abraham: but he lost the benefit of constant intercourse with the most eminent saint then living, the father of the faithful, the friend of God!

4. Moreover, Lot hereby placed himself in the very worst possible position. For "the men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly." Before changing our dwelling-place, this affecting story may warn us to inquire—“ What kind of neighbourhood is it to which I am going? Is God worshipped there, or Belial? Shall we find pious friends there; or only sensual, vicious, covetous, proud, worldly-minded society?"

So then these two righteous men-(for with all his inconsistencies, Lot was yet really a servant of the Lord)-these two righteous men, we say, were parted. Abraham remains, and is re-animated by a new communication of the promises of God. This kind of encouragement, probably, the Lord saw he needed, in order to preserve him from being disconcerted by the future disasters of his nephew. Lot goes forth, flattering himself with fair hopes: but he soon found himself in a situation, where he vexed his righteous soul from day to day. After this period he appears to have been always under the rod of correction, even to the very last.

The practical lessons to be learned from this part of Sacred History, shall be given in the simple language of Scripture itself. On the one hand-“ If riches increase, set not your heart upon them:" (Ps. lxii. 10.) "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom" (Prov. xxiii. 4.) "Evil communications corrupt good manners:" (1 Cor. xv. 33.)

On the other hand—“Godliness with contentment is great gain:" (1 Tim. vi. 6.) "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich; and he addeth no sorrow with it:" (Prov. x. 22.) A true son of Abraham may exult in declaring, as David did, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Ps. xvi. 5, 6.)

SECTION V.

ABRAHAM RESCUING LOT FROM CAPTIVITY.

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine : and he 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, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. (Genesis xiv. 13-20.)

WHEN the servants of God place themselves in situations not becoming their character, they may expect troubles enough. And yet their very afflictions are intended for their benefit: and in due time our heavenly Father, who is full of compassion, sends them deliverances far beyond all that they looked for, and far beyond what they deserved.

Thus it proved in the case of Lot; who was soon overtaken by what seemed to be hopeless ruin: but for whose effectual rescue Abraham was promptly raised up.

1. First, Lot being in a corrupt neighbourhood, shared the misfortunes of war which fell on the cities of the plain. If we venture into bad society, and then suffer with them, we may thank ourselves for it. There are few consolations, nay, there are almost no alleviations for those who bring calamity down upon their own heads, by the imprudent choice of their company.

Lot's unhappy ruin appeared complete. War is generally unsparing. In this instance the victors, having seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, made no distinction in favour of strangers. "They took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed."

2. This melancholy reverse in Lot's condition afforded an occasion for the display of Abraham's nobleness of character. Hearing of his nephew's calamity, he is instantly moved with compassion for the sufferers, and also with zeal for their common interest in the true Religion. Under these impulses, Abraham instantly succoured him.-Those who desire to help a friend in distress, must act with promptitude. In such circumstances, Time is a main point.

It is an evidence of the wealth and likewise of the influence that Abraham had attained, that he should be able at a moment to muster three hundred and eighteen trained servants born in his own house, (besides certain confederates;) men capable of putting to rout four kings; one of those kings being proudly entitled, "King of nations." But God was with Abraham:-so he smote them, and followed up the defeat to a great distance further. "And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also and the people." How signal a blessing did this venerable man confer upon a whole nation, no less than on his own connections!

It was on this occasion that Abraham met Melchizedek, king of Salem; who came out, as a superior, to refresh and to bless Abraham, and his company. A transaction, this, intended to convey a most important lesson to the Jewish Church in distant ages. It shows them that there was, even in Canaan, and even in Abraham's life-time, a greater than their

father Abraham; a priest of the most high God, to whom even Abraham gave tithes of all. It was, moreover, a typical transaction, designed to prove that the Gospel is superior to the Law; that Christ is above Moses, and even above Abraham; and consequently that our privileges in these latter days, are infinitely greater than any enjoyed by the saints of ancient times. They had the shadow: we have the very substance of the divine benediction. The covenant made with the fathers had "infirmity," and was only temporary. In Christ we have the perfection of God's revelation; a covenant which cannot be annulled, a kingdom which cannot be moved.

The more we contemplate Abraham's character, the more dignified does it appear. Even on this occasion, when he had rendered the highest possible service to the king of Sodom, he disdained to accept the remuneration proffered him by that sovereign, who was the head and representative of a wicked nation. Abraham takes high ground: and hereby sets an example to Lot of spotless holiness and disinterested magnanimity.-Did Lot profit by this example? Did he, as he conveniently might have done, withdraw from the neighbourhood of Sodom, and hail so favourable an opportunity of re-uniting himself to the society of the "father of the faithful?" Did he regard his recent calamity as a warning voice, counselling him to have no more fellowship with those workers of iniquity? How he ought to have interpreted the divine judgments, and how he ought at this critical time to have acted, we are not