thing that God himself could say to him allay the thirst which he had after that unspeakable gift. His longing after Christ arose, as we should think, even to impatience and ingratitude. But God approved of it ; and instantly renewed his promises to him in a more plain and express manner than before. And thus will he do towards us, if we manifest the same holy ardour after the knowledge and enjoyment of Christ. He will permit us to say to him, ' What are all thy gifts to me, or all thy pro- mises, if I go Chi'istless x, or have not assured hopes of an in- terest in him ! ' Yes, he would be pleased with such apparent ingratitude ; and would speedily return unto us an answer of peace. Let then every thing which you possess, appear as nothing in your eyes in comparison of Christ : let nothing comfort you while you are destitute of Christ : let it not satisfy you to have embraced the promises which relate to Chsist ; but endeavour to obtain brighter prospects of their approaching accomplishment. Like the holy Patriarch of old, entreat of God that you may not die till you have embraced Jesus in your arms, and can confidently say, " Mine eyes have seen his salvation5"." This is the boldness which Jacob exercised when he wrestled with the angel2 : and similar importunity shall surely be crowned with similar success.]
x See ver. 2. y Luke ii. 28 — 30. z Gen. xxxii. 26.
Gen. xv. 8. And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I knoiv
that I shall inherit it?
THE innumerable instances of God's condescen- sion which occur in the holy Scriptures, familiarize the idea of it so much to our minds, that we cease to wonder at it even on occasions the most stupendous. In the history before us we are ready to conceive of God as if he was a man like ourselves. His ap- pearances to Abram are so frequent, his intercourse with him so intimate, his regard for him so tender and affectionate, that we really lose sight of the Deitt/ in the Friend. Every fresh manifestation of himself seems only introductory to still higher exercises of his condescension and grace. In the preceding verses God had been pleased to allay the fears of