Twenty Parochial Sermons (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: SERMON III. FAITH OF ABRAHAM. Heb. 11. 17, is, 19. By faith Abraham, ivhen he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. This is one of the many instances, recounted by the apostle in this chapter, to shew how "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That is to say, it is a firm conviction in the mind relating to things which are not obvious to the senses, a persuasion that should be as conducive to our practice, as though we could see and hear and touch them, as really though not as largely effectual to our joy, as though we possessed the very things we hope for. Having lately endeavoured to explain this doctrine as laid down in the first verse of the chapter, I would now shew how it applies to our own practice, by reference to the conduct of those elders of our race, " who through faith" such as this " obtained a good report." And among the many instances here given, I would confine your attention to what is said in the text, of him who is called in scripture, by way of distinction, "faithful Abraham." (Gal. 3. 9.) " By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac." Here first we see how God, who made us men for his own glory and for our good, thinks fit to try us, to prove us, to discipline us. And this He does by means of the several events of life; which, according to our use of them, and of his grace attending them, turn either to our profit, or to our condemnation. This is what is meant when it is said in Genesis, (22. 1, ) " God did tempt Abraham;" that is, did try him." And this method of ...