The history of the Old Testament methodiz'd according to the order and series of time wherein the several things therein mentioned were transacted ... to which is annex'd a Short history of the Jewish affairs from the end of the Old Testament to the birth of our Saviour : and a map also added of Canaan and the adjacent countries ... / by Samuel Cradock ...

SECT. III.

UPon this Abram with Sarai his Wife and Lot his Nephew return again into the Southern parts of Canaan; And here let us observe the wonderful and gracious Providence of God to Abram. Abram intended by going down into Egypt only to keep himself from starving, but behold he Returns very rich in Cattel, and Silver, and Gold; so early did he experience the truth of Gods Promise to him. Being entred now again into Canaan, he marches on to the Place between Bethel and Ai, where before he had pitched his Tent, and had built an Altar, and there again called upon the Name of the Lord. And Lot also (who had still accompanied him) being now returned into Canaan, was very rich in Cattel, so that they wanted Pasture and Water for so many Herds and Flocks as they had between them. And thence arose a strife and quarrelling (as is usual in such cases) among their Herdsmen about Pastures and Water. And they were the more straitned, because the Canaanites and Perizzites that dwelt thereabout had taken up the greatest and best part of the Pasture for their own Cattel. This matter being like to make a difference between them, Abram though the Ʋncle and Superiour, yet amicably spake to Lot, desiring him there might be no strife between them, for they were Brethren; and that not only after the Flesh (He being the Uncle, and Lot his Nephew) but after the Spirit, they both sincerely serving one and the same true God. And 'tis like He set before Him how by such a contention they might give scandal to the Neighbouring Canaanites, and draw a Reproach upon the true Worship of God, and their own Profession. Upon all which considerations Abram represents to him that he judged it convenient they should now separate one from the other, and offers him his choice, whither he would go to the right hand or to the left. Not that Abram could give to Lot any title to the Land at that time, (For he himself had not then so much as to set his foot on, Acts 7.5. and was after∣wards forced to buy a Burying-place for his Family, Ch. 21.11.) But he desires Lot to chuse which quarter he pleased, upon supposition that he could obtain the use of it upon fair and reasonable terms, and with the consent of the Canaanites. Then Lot taking notice, and observing that all the plain of Jordan, even unto Zoar was ex∣ceeding fruitful, pleasant, and well-watered, even like to Paradise, and to Egypt, (which by the overflowing of Nilus was ever esteemed a fruitful Countrey.) He chose that place, and marching thither, pitched his Tent near Sodom. But thinking possibly to find the Place a Paradise he found it a Hell; For the Sodomites were abo∣minable Sinners before the Lord, see Ezek. 16.49, 50. Abram being now left alone with his Family, the Lord appeared to him, and comforted him, and gave him a new Promise of that Land to him and his Seed for ever. Now as the Heavenly Canaan is hereby typified, so that clause for ever will be verified to the true seed of Abraham, by whom it will be possessed for ever and ever. But as the Promise has respect to that Canaan which Abram now beheld with his eyes, so it is promised to the Israelites

conditionally, provided they did obey and keep the Covenant God made with them, but if they did degenerate, and proved an unfaithful Seed, then he would be no longer tied to his Promise, see Deut. 4.25, 26. Levit. 26.27, 32, 33. Ezek. 33.25, 26. Levit. 18.28. God also further promises Abram that He will multiply his Seed as the dust of the Earth, which may be understood both of the Children of his Body, and of his Faith. After this Abram went and dwelt in the plain of Mamre near unto Hebron, where he built an Altar unto the Lord, to Sacrifice thankfully to God for all his Mercies to Him.

Gen. 13. whole Chapter.

Notes

• Or [for ever] may be thus understood, viz. to the coming of the Messiah, where the promises of the Old Testament end. Christ bring∣ing in a new Age, and beginning a date of new Blessings to the faithful Children of Abram, usque in seculum.] Semini quidem Car∣nali quamdiu durabit politia Mosaica, videli∣cet usque ad Christi exhibitionem, Pisc. vel quamdiu durabit respublica Hebraeorum. Vox Olim non significat hic absolutam aeternitatem sed longum tempus, soll. usque ad adventum Messiae. Et haec promissio erat limitata, si Deo obtemperarent. Cessante conditione cessat res ipsa. Ipsi prius renunciaverunt. Deus quod Justitia ejus imparubat, fecit. See Sect. 7. Note (o).