Gen. xv. 1.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE.

"Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great

reward."

WAR, in its most justifiable form and most successful result, is always a source of endless anxiety. Five neighbouring kings, or princes, had revolted from Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and to reduce them to subjection, he, supported by his allies, ravaged the neighbouring states, and then invaded their territories. Two of the rebellious princes fell in the battle; and the rest "fled to the mountain," leaving the possessions of the slain to become the prey of the victors. Having seized all their moveable property, they took also Lot, Abram's brother's son, and his goods, and departed. But Abram, by a successful manœuvre, pursued the enemy, and recovered all. Many congratulations and benedictions of the most special nature, were gratefully poured on his head, even by Melchisedek, "the priest of the Most High God." Yet Abram, probably, feared lest misfortune and revenge should lead to a more formidable confederacy against him; and lest he should, therefore, eventually pay the penalty of presumption and temerity. But he was perfectly safe. He had a Friend above, with whom none could contend and prosper; and He would not for a moment, suffer him to be unmindful of this. For "after these things, the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

Here observe, I. The gracious assurance: "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." This I now am, and ever will be. But as "no scripture is of any private interpretation;" and as "Abram's God is ours," equally blessed are all the children of Abram, who have the God of Jacob for their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." Let us then attentively ponder the sacred import of the words. He begins with declaring: "I am thy shield." This manifestly secures their complete protection from all their enemies. They may be numerous as the sons of men, powerful as the legions of darkness, vigilant as the enemy of souls, and malicious as infernal hatred can make them; and yet they shall in vain attempt to hurt a hair of the head of the friend of God. His fears may, indeed, be greatly excited, and his heart may ever tremble, so that, at the sight of his enemies, he may almost, like Nabal, have "no more life in him," or may conclude with David, "I shall one day perish" by their hand. All this may be traced to his deep consciousness of his own perfect weakness, which constrains him to exclaim: "How shall I go up against this great multitude?" or "Who is sufficient for these things?" But let him only turn off his eyes from regarding his foes, and direct them upwards as the servant of Elisha once did, when "behold the mountain was filled with horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha;" and he will clearly perceive, that 66 greater is he that is with him than all that can be against him."

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So faithful is the assurance: "I am thy shield"-more invulnerable than the fabled shield of Achilles, and possessing the peculiar property-one that none other ever did-that of being at all times every where present! Whether the blow be aimed at the head or the heart, from behind or before, by day or by night, on land or on sea-there is thy God, who is both a sun and a shield," and who "will give grace and glory, and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. Take then "the shield of faith," wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, whether they spring from earth or hell. Men may persecute and seek to destroy thy life; but if the Lord see not fit then to call thee to himself, thou shalt be rescued and preserved, by his providence, as effectually as thy gracious Lord himself, who was carried down into Egypt, when the enraged and cruel "Herod sought the young child's life." For "the Lord knoweth how to deliver the righteous out of temptation;" and "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Thus "I am thy shield;" but he also graciously added,

"And thy exceeding great reward." Hope cheers all; and solitary indeed is that breast which it does not inspire. Even the captive slave, doomed to endless bonds, cherishes, in secret, this balm of life; and in the midnight hour, when his oppressor is buried in sleep, he sings to himself the song of hope. Thus the Christian fights, not as those which beat the air; for the Lord Jesus Christ is his hope; and victory, through faith in him, is sure. Even in death, we are "more than conquerors" through him that loved us. That gracious promise, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne," is still the ground of our hope; while all the hosts above re-echo: We "have overcome through the blood of the Lamb." Thus every believer may joy fully sing: "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." What an infinite reward is this! He may be called to sacrifice much, or to lose all for Christ; but eventually he suffers no loss, and is an infinite gainer. "For I reckon," said Paul, who had his full share of persecution here," that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom. viii. 17. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. iv. 17. The pain is only momentary, but the joy everlasting, because our reward is both infinite and eternal! Who then can utter forth all its praise? Who that has but a glimpse of its all-sufficiency and glory, can help exclaiming: This is not" the manner of man, O Lord God; for thou hast spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come," even for ever! "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." Thou shalt enjoy me-my attributes are incessantly exerted for thy good, whether wisdom, omnipotence, or grace. Is not such a reward "exceeding great," and infinitely removed from all the conceptions of mortals, or the utmost stretch of angelic comprehension? Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered the heart of man what God hath prepared for them that love him." What are all the rewards of the

most grateful and munificent monarchs, compared with this! They perish in an hour, though thousands may have striven for them in vain. But here is a crown of life-here is life, eternal life itself! Here is the God of salvation graciously condescending to call his faithful servant to the exceeding great reward of himself! "He is mine, and I am his," not assuredly dependent, in the least, on any merit on our part; but entirely of his own rich mercy and grace, given us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And such he will ever continue. "I am thy shield, &c." Such is the peculiar idiom of the Hebrew tongue for underived and interminable existence; and in this sense it is used, in that remarkable description of the Divine Being, as given by himself: "I am, that I am. I, therefore, the eternal and unchanging God, will be thy God; and in me thou shalt find, not only protection from all thine enemies, but the richest bliss for evermore, without the possibility of any disappointment. To increase, if possible, our confidence, he has graciously declared: "I am the Lord, I change not; therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed." Mal. iii. 6. "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee; neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." Isa. liv. 10. Thus "he is in one mind, and who can turn him?" We strangely alter, and perpetually fluctuate; but he who is our reward is immutably the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever." His dispensations may indeed vary; and the ordinances of his own appointment may be superseded by others of more simplicity and glory, of which they were only preparatory and imperfect resemblances; but he, himself, is "the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither the shadow of turning." James i. 17.

Observe, II. The consolatory exhortation, "Fear not❞—I am with thee, and " no man shall set on thee to hurt thee;" for "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." I am thy God: rely therefore on my wisdom, to guide thee evermore. Directed by this, when can we err? God may indeed lead the blind by a way that they know not; but it is "his own right way." Thus he led Abram of old, and Israel in the wilderness; and thus he will lead you now, and make every path of duty plain before you, so that you may never err therein, but be conducted safely to the "city of everlasting habitation."-I am thy God: trust therefore in my power, to protect thee at all times. And who knows not that this is infinite, and can never fail? Behold the Israelites at the Red Sea. The waves roll before them, and the Egyptians pursue behind them; and yet he who led them thither, opens a passage for them, and a grave for their enemies, who "sank as lead in the mighty waters." Ex. xv. 10. Behold the faithful Daniel, condemned to become the prey of the huugry lions, because he piously honoured his gracious God more than an impious monarch. But he speedily found an asylum even in the den of lions, and protection in the hand of the Lord, which was upon them there. And so it is still. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall sin against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the

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heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." Isa. liv. 17. I am thy God: confide in my grace, to reward thee everlastingly. I am gracious and merciful; and I never send any a warfare at their own charges, or suffer the least service done for me to be overlooked." "My grace shall be sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness," 2 Cor. xii. 9. The reward of fidelity is sure, and reserved on high for him that overcometh." Think not, then, that I can ever forget thee; for I have engraven thee on the palms of my hands;" and I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love," whatever it may have been. But he will condescendingly notice it before an assembled universe; and will gracionsly say: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matt. xxv. 21. Enjoy me, as thy portion, for ever and ever. Is not this, Christians, an ample, yea, an infinite recompense for all your labours, sorows, and sufferings here; and do not you, therefore, justly "reckon that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us?" "Fear not," then, "little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke xii. 32. Therefore faithfully follow him, "fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life."

Such the rich and gracious promise which God made to Abram, and which through him extends to all his faithful seed. And what more, or what different could any one desire? Surely, he would not ask for the beggarly portion of this earth? For what are riches, pleasures and honours, compared with that inheritance which is above? Are they not the veriest trifles, and not worthy a moment's consideration?"Riches take to themselves wings and fly away;" pleasures, falsely so called, leave a sting behind, which nothing but the hand of God can effectually extract. Honours, however great and numerous,are but the favour of mortals like ourselves, which perishes with the fleeting breath which utters it. But in the favour of that God who blessed Abram, and who still blesses all his faithful seed, “is life; and his loving kindness is better than life."

How wretched then, must they be who despise this mercy! They are indeed" without God, without Christ, and without hope in the world." They despise the only remedy, trample "under foot the Son of God, and count the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and do despite to the Spirit of grace!" Heb. x. 29. How then shall they "escape, if they" continue to "neglect so great salvation?" Verily they must miserably and eternally perish.-And yet the door of mercy is still open; and sinners are still invited and entreated to enter in and be saved. Come, therefore, by faith in the bleeding Saviour, whose "day Abram desired to see, he saw it and was glad." Mourn, bitterly mourn, as one that mourneth for his only son," that ever you should have provoked the Lord to anger, and despised the riches of his grace. And while it is called to-day, if ye will hear his voice,

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harden not your hearts; but gratefully embrace the salvation which is in Christ. Then though friends should forsake, and enemies rage, "Fear not," for the Lord said, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

J. C-M.

THE REV. JOHN WESLEY'S WARNING TO DISSENTERS.

SIXTY years ago the Dissenters of England were under the imputation of disloyalty to their sovereign, because they could not approve of the policy of George the Third toward the North American Colonies, but felt a sympathy with the sufferings of their transatlantic brethren, both as citizens and Christians.

Mr. Wesley thought it to be his duty to take part in the political discussions of the day, and therefore he published a Tract, entitled, "A Calm Address to the Inhabitants of England." At the close of that paper, he addressed in particular those who bear a religious character, and to the Dissenters he thus spoke :

"Are not you who dissent from the established church, in whatever kind or degree, particularly concerned to observe this, for wrath, as well as for conscience sake? Do you imagine there are no high churchmen left? Did they all die with Dr. Sacheverell? Alas! how little do you know of mankind! Were the present restraint taken off, you would see them swarming on every side, and gnashing upon you with their teeth. There would hardly need a nod from that sacred person whom you revile, or at least lightly esteem. Were he to stand neuter, in what a condition would you be within one twelve months? If other Bonners and Gardiners did not arise, other Lauds and Sheldons would, who would either rule over you with a rod of iron, or drive you out of the land. Know the blessings you enjoy! Let common sense restrain you, if neither religion nor gratitude can. Beware of the wrath of a patient man.' Dare not again to open your lips against your sovereign! Lest he fall upon you? No; but lest he cease to defend you. Then farewell to the liberty you now enjoy."

When it is remembered that Mr. Wesley was educated in high church principles, and brought up at Oxford, there can be little doubt but that he knew enough of the dominant party there to authorize and justify the enforcement of this argument to stimulate the languid loyalty of the Dissenters. That the lapse of sixty years has not changed the spirit of that party, let the Oxford Tracts, the High Church Journals, and the recent use of the Ecclesiastical Courts prove. That John Wesley's warning is still needed, the following passage from The Church of England Quarterly Review will abundantly confirm.

"Unless the various churches of Dissent solemnly protest, in the face of the world, against the published opinions of their brethren, government should be prepared with their lictors, and armed with the fasces of rebuke, since that were better than that our bishops should be deprived of their mild paraphernalia of crosier and chaplain. If Dissenters will not consider the difference between them and the church as a languid question of reason, but will deem it a lively question of passion, they cannot complain if the safety of the community be ascertained at their expense. In their imaginary evil, the general good will be arrived at. Or would they that the legislature should pass an annual indem

* No. VII. July, 1838, pp. 77, 78.