Abraham to our father.
Trees marked for falling
I. That God’s test of all moral life is practical, not theoretic, nor circumstantial. His demand is for fruitfulness. Jews could boast:-
1. Their national lineage. The true element in this:
(1) great moral influence descends from a pious progenitor, and more or less imbues our life and feeling;
(2) the traditions of a pious ancestry are precious;
(3) some importance is to be attached to the prayers of a pious ancestry. The untrue element is to think that God will merge all considerations of a personal character. The true conception of a pious ancestry is obligation.
2. Another substitute for fruitfulness upon which the Jews relied was ecclesiastical prerogative.
3. Another substitute upon which they relied was doctrinal orthodoxy.
II. That God puts us upon our probation in respect of these practical things to see whether we will do them or not. (H. Allon.)