to,the reiterated promise of a son, was chiefly due to the announcement that Sarah 'IY'IIB to. be its mother. It was the joy of a husband in the happiness of a beloved wifo, long tried, but at length about to be rewarded ; it was also the joy of a believing nusband in the well-founded assurance of his wife's interest in the covenant of grace. II. TnE EXCLUSION OF IsnMAEL. 1. The prayer of Abraham-(1) Reveals a note of sorrow. The displacement of Hagar'e child by the son of Sarah, though for Sarah's sake thrilling him with joy, appears to have raised a tender sympathy in his breast for the disappointment which was to fall upon the lad and his mother. For years he had himself no other thought than that Ishmael might be the seed, and now he cannot put aside the cherished hope without regret. Let fathers learn that though it is beautiful to feel for children's griefs, it is dangerous to constmct plans for children'E greatness. (2) Breathes an earnest spirit. Deeply concerned for the welfare ot h_is son, Abraham was also filled with longing that God would listen to his prayer. If there is anything about which a parent's heart should be sincerely passionate, it is the happiness and prosperity of his offspring; and if there is one season more than another in wbioh a parent'B heart should be possessed by strong emotion, it is when pleading for his children nt a throne of grace (Ps. l.xxviii. 2). (3) Craves a heai-enly blessing. Though Ishmael was to be denied the honour of serving as a medium for the transmission of the blessings of the covenant to future ages, his father supplicated for him a personal participation in those blessings. The chief ambition of a parent should be the .conversion and spiritual advancement of his children (3 John 4). 2. The answer of God-(1) Assures tlte praying father of acceptance. Ishmael, though not admitted to the succession of the holy seed, shoul!l, not be excluded from the gifts of grace. If Hagar's child, though born of the flesh, should become possessed of faith, he too would share in the spiritual benediction of the covenant. Let parents be encouraged to pray for their children. (2) Promises great temporal prosperity to the son. Abraham had sought spiritual life for Ishmael; God bestowed Ill addition temporal renown. So God did with Solomon (1 Kings iii. 11), and still does with saints (Ephcs. iii. 20). III. THE ACQUIESCENCE OF ABRAHAM. This was signified by the patriarch's ob- servance of the rite of circumcision, in regard to which his obedience was-1. Im- mediate. There was no delay, no reluctance, no considering the question, but instantaneous compli1mce with the Divine directions. On the self-same day as God explained to him the provisions and conditions of the covenant, he declared his con- sent before God by the acceptanoe of the sugg·ested sign. His behaviour in this resp"'ct should be taken as a model by believers. 2. Cheerful. The rite of circum- cision was of course attended with pain and something approaching to personal humiliation, and yet self-abasement and suffering were joyously assented to in view of the coming gift of the covenant. So should. Chiistians delightedly accept tribulation and any sort of bodily indignity that God may impose, considering them as nothing in comparison with the eternal weight of glory. 3. T½_rough-going. Prompt as to its time, willing in its spirit, the obedience of Abraham ,vas also minute in its perform- ance. The appointed ordinance was administered to himself, his son Ishmael, and every male domestic in his house, as God had said unto him. So God's people aro required to observe all things written in the book of the covenant.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 15.-" Thou shal t not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be," &c. " Mother of nations;" "kings of peoples shall be of her." I. EXALTATION OF THE LOWLY. A. pilgrim and stranger, made a princess. A mother of nations, though once desolate, mourning, ready to murmur, The lamenta- tion turned into laughter. II. THE FREEDOM OF DIVINE GRACE. The blessing unexpected, apart from creature strength, notwithstanding blind and foolish attempts to obtain blessing in ollr own way-the Ishmael, not the Isaac. Though many things "said in ou·r heart," the one thing Divinely purposed the only true fulfilment of that heart's desire. III. FORIWLEAMS OF TIIE COMING GLORY. Tho seed of the woman, specially repIO• 1,,enting the promise of God, _supernaturally giYOn, coming ns the royl\l seed, sou of a 240 TilE BOOK OF GENESIS. [en. xrnr. 1-15.
princess and forerunner of kings of peoples. God-gh·en heir, God-given inheritance. The birth of the child of promise, so manifestly Divine, points to the yot greater glory; "Unto us a Son is bom,"-R.