The former, on this account, was named, "The father of many nations;" while Sarah, at the same time, received from the Lord the title of " Princess." Although not without her faults, yet is she to be honoured as the affectionate, dutiful, long-tried, and faithful wife, helper, and fellow-pilgrim of the venerable Abraham. She saw Isaac attain the age of seven and thirty years, and then died; leaving Abraham in God's appointed time to follow her. That time, as it proved, was not less than another thirty-seven years.

3. The account of Sarah's burial brings before us one of the most touching scenes imaginable. How affecting to think, that they who have long lived together in comfort and usefulness, must inevitably be separated by death! Then the survivor beholds an object, once to him the most lovely upon earth, quickly becoming a prey to corruption: and he is constrained to say, "Let me bury my dead out of my sight." Yet, as we commit the remains of a pious friend or relative to the tomb, the word of God comforts us with the hope of seeing that very dust reanimated. "This corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality!"

The sympathy shown on this occasion towards Abraham by the children of Heth quite moves us to love them. Heathens they probably were; yet they were impressed with the tenderest feelings of humanity, and with a profound veneration for the patriarch Abraham.-And here it is particularly worthy of remark, that although God had promised

all that land to Abraham and his posterity, yet Abraham himself on this occasion claimed no part of it as his own property. He contentedly buys the field of Ephron, for the sum of four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. This transaction showed the patient character of his faith. By a divine right the whole country belonged to him and his heirs: but he knew that they must wait God's time and method of giving them actual possession of the land.

4. After this, Abraham's first care was to see his son Isaac united in marriage to a partner worthy of their chosen race. He himself also married again, and reared another family. Since, however, Isaac was the son according to promise, Abraham during his lifetime sent these other children, with suitable portions, far away into the east-country. Thus jealousies and strifes would be avoided; and thus also the prophecy would be accomplished, "I will make thy name great;" since probably no name is better known in Eastern countries to this day, than the name of Abraham.

The patriarch himself at length closed his long life of faith, at the age of an hundred and seventyfive years; and was buried by his sons, Isaac and Ishmael, in the cave of Machpelah.

PRAYERS,

RELATIVE TO SOME OF THE PRECEDING SUBJECTS.

FOR THE PARDON OF SIN.

O ALMIGHTY God, who of thy tender love towards mankind didst give thine only Son, to die that we might live: Hear the prayer of thy servants, who draw near to thy mercy-seat, trusting wholly in the merits of Christ, our Lord and Saviour. For his sake, pardon all our past transgressions. Renew our sinful nature by thy Holy Spirit. Receive us, unworthy as we are, into thy favour and grant us a place among thy pardoned and accepted children.

O our God, when we look at the number and heinousness of our iniquities, we have cause to abase ourselves in the dust before thee, with the deepest humility. Yet suffer us not at any time to despair of finding mercy. Cast us not away in thy displeasure, though we deserve it. Remember not the sins of our youth, nor our transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou us, for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

Hear us, for the glory of thy Name, and be gracious unto us, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

FOR FAITH AND HOLINESS.

O LORD, who hast revealed thyself, as a God merciful and gracious, pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin, through Jesus Christ thy wellbeloved Son: Enable us daily to approach thee in faith, pleading his name, and seeking salvation through him alone. Lord, we have no other hope. To whom should we go, but to the Lamb of God, slain to take away the sins of the world!

O may the remembrance of our Redeemer's sufferings fill us with shame on account of our sins: and may we utterly abhor and forsake every evil way. Let us not provoke thee to anger, by continuing in the practice of what we know to be sinful and displeasing to thee. Stir up within us a fervent desire to keep thy commandments, and to glorify thee before all men. And may the Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier and Comforter of thy people, work in us continually both to will and to do of thy good pleasure. Yea, the very God of peace sanctify us wholly and may our whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask these great mercies, for the sake of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

FOR HEAVENLY WISDOM.

O LORD, our heavenly Father, who hast promised to give thy Holy Spirit to them that ask thee:

Look down in mercy upon us thy unworthy children; have compassion upon our ignorance, and shed abroad the light of thy Truth in our minds. With shame we acknowledge that we have frequently wandered, not only through the blindness, but also through the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of our corrupt hearts. O let not sin prevail, so as to cloud our souls with darkness and error. But grant to us, that, having a single eye to thy glory, we may be filled with light; and may know in all things what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Enable us to walk in wisdom toward them that fear Thee not, and especially toward those who resist thy Gospel. O have pity upon them: and vouchsafe to us in all our conversation with them, both the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove; that we may remove their prejudices, and win them to Christ. May the word of God not be evil spoken of on our account, but may we have grace to adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour in all things. Keep us ever on our guard, against all the assaults and devices of our cruel enemy. Deliver us from every temptation; defend us from all evil; and comfort us with thy presence. And suffer us not, at any time, to be betrayed, by our own unruly wills and affections, into sin: but keeping our hearts with all diligence, may we so walk by the light of thy word, and the teaching of thy Spirit, that we may at length attain to the light of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.