A HYMN. Hinder me not." Gen. 24. 56. WHEN Abram's servant to procure He met Rebekah, told his wish Yet for ten days they urg'd the man Hinder me not, he quick reply'd, Stay, says the world, and taste awhile Stay, Satan, thy old master, says Thro' floods and flames, if Jesus leads, Tho' earth and hell oppose. And when the Saviour calls me home, Still this my cry shall be; Hinder me not, come welcome death, Ryland. LECTURE LECTURE XXIV. ISAAC'S EVENING WALK. GEN. 24. 6. And Isaac went out to mea ditate in the field at eventide. LET us walk with Isaac and see how his thoughts were employed. "Isaac came from the way of the well Laharoi, for he dwelt in the south country." The well Laharoi means, the well of him that liveth and seeth me. It is the same fountain where the Angel found Hagar the Egyptian, when she fled into the wilderness from the face of her mistress. This is the way that Isaac came from, for he dwelt in the south country. That is, he lived in the South of Palestine, the South part of the land of Canaan. Here it was that Abraham had pitched his tent. It is a remarkable place, and was called Hebron. In this place David was crowned king of Israel. It was afterwards a royal city. Here was the dwelling place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a peaceful happy spot. Let us seek to be employed in the same manner that Isaac was, when when he went out to the field at even tide. 1. ISAAC'S EMPLOYMENT. He went out to meditate. That is, to think on some religious subject, to meditate means, to think closely. When a boy is looking very grave or walking or sitting by himself, we often hear it said to him, what are you thinking about? What are your thoughts? What are your meditations? Isaac was employed in meditation while walking in the fields. This is a duty which all ought to perform-they ought to think of heavenly things. The works of creation should employ our thoughts. How great, how good, how wise and powerful must that God be who made all that we see. We should think of God in our walks, what he is, what he has done, and what he has promised to do for those who think upon his name. We should think of Jesus as a Saviour, able and willing to save both young and old. We should think how kind God has been to us ever since we were born. What kind friends he has given us and how many other blessings we have received from him. We should think what bad hearts we have and what great sinners we are. God can change change our hearts and pardon our sins. We should think how valuable the soul is, that it will live for ever, and must be happy or miser able for ever. We should think how short and how precious our time is. We should think of death, of judgment, of heaven and hell. Think on these things, my dear young friends, no doubt Isaac's mind was thus employed. Let us go and do the same as he did. II. Take notice of the PLACE where Isaac meditated. In the FIELD. He took the advantage of a solitary walk in the field, and the silence of the evening for this sacred exercise. The word meditate in this place means also to pray. He went out to reflect upon the works of God. Upon his goodness and mercy, and to pour out his heart in prayer and praise. And he chose the field as the place where he might be retired and alone; that his mind might not be distracted or disturbed. It will do you good to be often alone if you are thus employed. To walk alone and sit alone: But you will find that you are not alone, but that God is with you. He is every where present, in the field as well as in the housė. In In your chamber, as well as in his temple. Meditation and prayer ought to be our business and delight when we are alone. Our walks in the field will be truly pleasant when we employ ourselves in this manner. There are heavens above our heads. The Sun setting in all his glory, and the works of God all around us. We ought to look on these, and think on him who made them. Some think that Isaac went to pray, that the Servant might be successful, and that God would indeed send his Angel before him and prosper his way. If it was so, he could not do better. He could not be better employed. God gave him his heart's desire. III. The TIME which ISAAC chose for this employment. It was the EVENING. The morning and evening of the day are most favourable to this exercise. The calmness of the morning, and the solemnity of the evening. "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, (said David); in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up. Nothing can ex ceed |